Patent Publication Number: US-2023155451-A1

Title: Generator system utilizing weights of recurrent static loads

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/264,906, filed Feb. 1, 2021, which claims priority to International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2018/000820, filed on Aug. 2, 2018, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to a generator system utilizing the weight of recurrent static loads to generate power. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There is a growing need for clean and sustainable energy resources as problems associated with climate change and diminishing non-renewable resources increase. For example, such a need exists due to the current dependence on fossil fuels for power generation, which is causing their depletion and is known to negatively impact the ecosystem. Therefore, and due to the ever-changing demand for clean and sustainable energy, technologies for harvesting readily available, clean, and sustainable energy are needed. Solar power, wind turbines, and hydroelectricity now exist for energy production, but present their own individual problems, such as with the need to consume valuable real estate to build and operate (i.e., farmland or other real estate consumed for wind and solar farms, land that is consumed when a hydroelectric plant is built and the resulting flowage, and the like). 
     Recurrent static loads are found around us every day. Particularly surrounding industries related to shipping and storing goods, static loads may be found in locations not limited to warehouses, ports, and parking lots. Known in the art are devices which generate electricity from downward forces, however only a fraction of the load&#39;s movement is utilized for power generation. It would be beneficial to take advantage of loads that undergo recurrent loading and unloading to generate power. 
     Where recurrent static loads are found, known existing infrastructure may be present. For example, bridges and loading systems exist in locations where recurrent static loads such as automobiles or cargo are frequently found. It would be beneficial to take advantage of existing infrastructure and/or real estate of the existing infrastructure to build power generation systems. For instance, a bridge may be built with the generator system of the disclosure and be contained to the space where a bridge already exists, requiring no additional real estate which may be valuable and expensive. Additionally, where more expansive electricity is not available or may be limited, particularly in remote areas, local systems can be critical for providing necessary electricity. 
     Therefore, a need exists for an improved power generation system for generating electricity. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     According to the disclosure, a generator system configured to support a load and create electrical power includes a plurality of folding supports, a gear rack assembly positioned at a midpoint of the system, and a generator assembly. The system includes an upper support movable in an upward and a downward direction and a lower support that is fixed and extends parallel to the upper support. The plurality of folding supports includes at least two corresponding pairs of scissor arms, an upper track and a lower track, and a plurality of wheels for connecting the at least two pairs of scissor arms to the upper track and the lower track. The gear rack assembly includes an upper gear rack and a lower gear rack, a gear engaging the upper gear rack and the lower gear rack, and a shaft positioned at a center of the gear for rotating in a one-directional manner with the gear. The generator assembly includes a dynamo, the shaft connected to the dynamo for converting the one-directional rotational movement of the shaft into electrical power. When the load is added to the upper support, a weight of the load lowers the upper support such that the scissor arms expand in a horizontal direction by the plurality of wheels sliding in the upper track and the lower track, and the plurality of wheels push the upper gear rack and the lower gear rack, rotating the gear and the shaft, such that the rotational movement of the shaft is transferred to the dynamo for electrical power generation. 
     Also according to the disclosure, a system configured to generate power from supporting a load includes a lower support that is stationary and an upper support movable in an upward and a downward direction. The generator system includes at least two folding supports, a first folding support and a second folding support positioned on opposite ends of the system between the upper support and the lower support. The generator system includes a gear rack assembly positioned at a midpoint of the system between the first folding support and the second folding support, the gear rack assembly including an upper gear rack connected to the first folding support, a lower gear rack connected to the second folding support, and a gear for engaging the upper gear rack and the lower gear rack. The generator system includes a generator assembly including a shaft rotatable with the gear, the shaft connected to a dynamo for converting rotational movement of the shaft to electrical power. When the load is added to the upper support, a weight of the load lowers the upper support such that the folding supports expand in a horizontal direction and push the upper gear rack and the lower gear rack, rotating the gear and the shaft, such that the rotational movement of the shaft is transferred to the dynamo for electrical power generation. 
     According to the disclosure, a method of generating power includes positioning a load on an upper support of a system, the upper support configured to move in a downward direction under weight of the load, compressing a plurality of folding supports, the plurality of folding supports positioned between the upper support and a lower support, pushing a pair of gear racks attached to the plurality of folding supports in a horizontal direction, rotating a gear engaged with the pair of gear racks, rotating a shaft engaged with the gear, the shaft connected to a dynamo, and converting rotational movement of the shaft into electrical power at the dynamo. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic side view generally illustrating a system used in connection with a generator system. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic close-up view generally illustrating a front section of a system used in connection with a generator system. 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic close-up view generally illustrating a rear section of a system used in connection with a generator system. 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic close-up view generally illustrating a gear assembly used in connection with a generator system. 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic close-up view generally illustrating a generator assembly as used in connection with a generator system. 
         FIG.  6 A  is a schematic side view generally illustrating a system used in connection with a generator system in an expanded position. 
         FIG.  6 B  is a schematic side view generally illustrating a system used in connection with a generator system in a compressed position. 
         FIG.  7    is a flowchart generally illustrating the operational steps of a generator system where a load L is added. 
         FIG.  8    is a flowchart generally illustrating the operational steps of a generator system where a load L is removed. 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic side view generally illustrating an application of a system used in connection with a generator system. 
         FIG.  10    is a schematic top view generally illustrating an application of a system used in connection with a generator system. 
         FIG.  11    is a schematic side view generally illustrating an application of a system used in connection with a generator system. 
         FIGS.  12 A- 12 C  are schematic views generally illustrating an application of a system used in connection with a generator system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the discussion that follows and the drawings, illustrative approaches to the disclosed systems and methods are described in detail. Although the drawings represent some possible approaches, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated, removed, or partially sectioned to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. Further, the descriptions set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive, otherwise limit, or restrict the claims to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. 
     This disclosure relates generally to a power generation system that generates power utilizing the weight of recurrent static loads on a system. An exemplary generator system may include a system with an upper support and a lower support. The upper support is configured to receive a load and move in a downward direction under the weight of the load. The generator system includes a plurality of folding supports which compress with the downward movement of the upper support. The generator system includes a gear rack assembly attached to the folding supports. The gear rack assembly is configured to rotate a gear with the compression of the folding supports, such that the rotation of the gear is transmitted via a shaft to a dynamo, providing a sustainable source of power generation. 
     Referring to the figures,  FIG.  1    is a schematic side view of a power generation system  100 . System  100  includes an upper support  102  and a lower support  104 . Upper support  102  and lower support  104  extend in a longitudinal direction, extending parallel to each other with upper support  102  positioned above lower support  104 . Lower support  104  is positioned along a surface such as the ground and is stationary, while upper support  102  is movable in an upward or downward movement, such that a distance D between upper support  102  and lower support  104  is increased or reduced with movement of upper support  102 , thereby generating gravitational energy to be captured from a load “L” as electrical energy due to the up and down motion. 
     Upper support  102  and lower support  104  are connected to each other by one or more folding supports  106  at each of a front section  200  and a rear section  300  of system  100 . Folding supports  106  are configured to compress and expand upper support  102  and lower support  104 . In one example, each folding support  106  includes a set of elongated scissor arms  108   a ,  108   b , a pivotable hinge  110 , and a plurality of wheels  116 , however other arrangements for compressing and expanding the upper support  102  and lower support  104  may be used. Scissor arms  108   a ,  108   b  intersect at their midpoint via pivotable hinge  110 . Pivotable hinge  110  facilitates scissor-like movement between scissor arms  108   a ,  108   b  as distance D between upper support  102  and lower support  104  increases or is reduced, compressing arms  108   a ,  108   b  when distance D is reduced, and expanding arms  108   a ,  108   b  when distance D is increased. 
     Upper support  102  and lower support  104  include an upper track  112  and a lower track  114 . Upper track  112  extends along a bottom surface of upper support  102  and lower track  114  extends along a top surface of lower support  104 , such that upper track  112  and lower track  114  face inwards toward each other. Scissor arms  108   a ,  108   b  are attached at their ends to upper track  112  and lower track  114  via plurality of wheels  116 . For example, a first scissor arm  108   a  is attached to upper track  112  at a first end via a first wheel  116   a . A second scissor arm  108   b  is attached to lower track  114  at a first end via a third wheel  116   c . System  100  may include one folding support  106  in each section  200 ,  300  of system  100  as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , or system  100  may include any number of folding supports  106  based on factors such as the length of system  100  and the expected weight load to be placed on system  100 . For example, a longer system  100  may include more folding supports  106  to extend the length of system  100 . Additionally, a system  100  expected to receive a heavy load may include more folding supports  106  to distribute the weight amongst more folding supports  106 . System  100  includes at least two folding supports  106 , one folding support  106  at each section  200 ,  300  of system  100 . 
     At terminal ends  120  of upper support  102  and lower support  104 , scissor arms  108   a ,  108   b  are connected to upper support  102  and lower support  104  via fixed hinges  118   a ,  118   b . For example, first scissor arm  108   a  is attached at a first end to upper support  102  at wheel  116   a  and at a second end to terminal end  120  of lower support  104  at a first fixed hinge  118   a . Second scissor arm  108   b  is attached at a first end to lower support  104  at wheel  116   b  and at a second end to terminal end  120  of upper support  102  at a second fixed hinge  118   b . In embodiments with more than one pair of scissor arms  108   a ,  108   b  per section  200 ,  300 , scissors arms  108   a ,  108   b  immediately adjacent to terminal ends  120  include fixed hinge  118   a ,  118   b , while additional scissor arms may include four wheels as illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  3   . 
     System  100  includes the above features at opposite ends of upper support  102  and lower support  104 , creating front section  200  and rear section  300 .  FIG.  2    illustrates a close-up view of front section  200  and  FIG.  3    illustrates a close-up view of rear section  300 . Front section  200  and rear section  300  meet at a midpoint of system  100  at a gear rack assembly  400 . Each of front section  200  and rear section  300  includes at least one folding support  106  for compressing with downward movement of upper support  102 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , gear rack assembly  400  includes an upper gear rack  402 , a lower gear rack  404 , and a gear  406 . An inner most wheel  116 C on lower support  104  of the rear section  300  is connected to lower gear rack  404 . Inner most wheel  116 C on lower support  104  of front section  200  is connected to upper gear rack  402 . Lower gear rack  404  and upper gear rack  402  extend longitudinally and extend parallel to each other. Lower gear rack  404  extends in the same plane as wheels  116  in lower track  114 . Upper gear rack  402  includes a vertical support  424  which extends from wheel  116 C such that upper gear rack  402  extends longitudinally above the plane of lower gear rack  404 . Upper gear rack  402  includes a plurality of upper rack teeth  408  lining the bottom surface of upper gear rack  402 . Lower gear rack  404  includes a plurality of lower rack teeth  410  lining the top surface of lower gear rack  404  such that upper rack teeth  408  and lower rack teeth  410  face toward each other. Gear  406  is a circular gear with a plurality of gear teeth  412  that engage lower rack teeth  410  and upper rack teeth  408 . 
     Upper gear rack  402  includes an upper pulley  420  positioned on a top surface of upper gear rack  402 . Lower gear rack  404  includes a lower pulley  422  positioned on a bottom surface of lower gear rack  404 . Upper pulley  420  and lower pulley  422  are connected to gear  406  via a belt  426 . Belt  426  ensures upper gear rack  402  and lower gear rack  404  remain positioned relative to gear  406 . A shaft  414  is illustrated whose operation is further described in  FIG.  5   , and a generator assembly  450  for converting movement into electrical power. 
     Illustrated in  FIG.  5    is generator assembly  450  for converting movement into electrical power. In the center of gear  406  is shaft  414  which extends through gear  406 . As gear  406  rotates, shaft  414  is permitted to rotate. Rotation of shaft  414  is permitted in one direction only, for example, clockwise, such that rotation of gear  406  in an opposite direction, for example, counterclockwise, will not cause rotation of shaft  414  in the opposite direction. Shaft  414  is attached to a dynamo  418  to utilize the rotational movement of shaft  414  for power generation. Shaft  414  is first connected to an automatic transmission box  416  to assist in converting the rotational movement of shaft  414  to power and includes a receiving shaft  430  between automatic transmission box  416  and dynamo  418 . In other examples, system  100  may be void of automatic transmission box  416  and shaft  414  may be connected to dynamo  418  without box  416  and receiving shaft  430  such that shaft  414  is directly inputted into dynamo  418 . Rotational movement from shaft  414  is inputted into dynamo  418  and dynamo  418  converts mechanical rotation into a pulsing direct electric current that can be utilized for power generation. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , system  100  expands and compresses based on added weight of a recurrent static load L.  FIG.  6 A  illustrates a default position of system  100  where no load is added to system  100  and system  100  remains in an expanded position  600 .  FIG.  6 B  illustrates a compressed position  610  of system  100  where load L has been added to system  100 .  FIG.  7    illustrates the steps  700  which occur when load L is positioned on system  100  and system  100  moves from expanded position  600  to compressed position  610  and generates power.  FIG.  8    illustrates the steps  800  which occur when load L is removed from system  100  and system  100  moves from compressed position  610  back to expanded position  600 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  6 A , in the default, expanded position  600 , no load L is placed on upper support  102 . Upper support  102  is in an upward-most position with the largest distance D 1  allowed between upper support  102  and lower support  104 . Scissor arms  108   a ,  108   b  are in an expanded position such that they extend from upper support  102  to lower support  104 , covering distance D 1 . Horizontal distance H between wheels  116  is reduced to a smaller distance H 1  allowed by length of scissor arms  108   a ,  108   b  and distance D 1  between upper support  102  and lower support  104 . In expanded position  600 , distance D 1  is larger than horizontal distance H 1 . Upper gear rack  402  and lower gear rack  404  are positioned such that there is limited overlap between upper gear rack  402  and lower gear rack  404 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  6 B , in the compressed position  610 , load L is positioned on upper support  102 . Upper support  102  is in a lowered position with a smaller distance D 2  allowed between upper support  102  and lower support  104 . Scissor arms  108   a ,  108   b  are in a compressed positioned such that they extend horizontally. Horizontal distance H between wheels  116  is increased to a larger distance H 2  allowed by length of scissor arms  108   a ,  108   b  and distance D 2  between upper support  102  and lower support  104 . In compressed position  610 , distance D 2  is smaller than horizontal distance H 2 . Upper gear rack  402  and lower gear rack  404  are positioned such that there is substantial overlap between upper gear rack  402  and lower gear  404 . 
       FIG.  7    is a flowchart generally illustrating the operational steps of a generator system where load L is added. Referring to  FIG.  7   , the weight of load L carried on system  100  causes compression of system  100  thereby extending scissor arms  108   a ,  108   b  by moving wheels  116  on tracks  112 ,  114  and pushing gear racks  402 ,  404  horizontally, which subsequently causes the rotation of gear  406  and shaft  414 . 
     At  710 , load L is positioned on upper support  102  of system  100 . At  720 , its weight causes upper support  102  to begin to move in a downward direction. At  730 , downward movement of upper support  102  causes folding supports  106  to compress. Compression of folding supports  106  includes scissor arms  108   a ,  108   b  pivoting about pivotable hinge  110  to compress to distance D 2  between upper support  102  and lower support  104 . Wheels  116  slide in upper track  112  and lower track  114  to extend to horizontal distance H 2  between adjacent wheels  116 . At  740 , as wheels  116  slide along tracks  112 ,  114 , wheels  116 C attached to gear rack assembly  400  cause upper gear  402  and lower gear rack  404  to move. Wheels  116 C slide in a direction towards the midpoint of system  100 . Wheel  116 C of front section  200  pushes upper gear rack  402  toward rear end  300 . Wheel  116 C of rear section  300  pushes lower gear  404  toward front section  200 . Upper gear rack  402  and lower gear rack  404  substantially overlap, reducing the distance between folding supports  106  of front section  200  and folding supports  106  of rear section. At  750 , as upper gear rack  402  and lower gear rack  404  move horizontally, gear  406  is rotated in a clockwise direction due to engagement of gear teeth  412  with upper rack teeth  408  and lower rack teeth  410 . At  760 , rotation of gear  406  in clockwise direction causes shaft  414  to rotate in a clockwise direction. At  770 , shaft  414  extends into dynamo  418  as a receiving axle for dynamo  418 , inputting rotational movement into dynamo  418  and converting mechanical rotation into a pulsing direct electrical current that can be utilized for power generation. Shaft  414  may include an automatic transmission box  416  which may aid in transferring rotational movement of shaft  414  into electrical power. 
       FIG.  8    is a flowchart generally illustrating the operational steps of a generator system where load L is removed. Referring to  FIG.  8   , when load L is removed from system  100 , upper section  102  of system is lifted back to expanded position  600  while scissor arms  108   a ,  108   b  return to their retracted position and gear  406  rotates on gear racks  402 ,  404  returning to initial position without rotating shaft  414  in the axis of gear  406 . 
     At  810 , load L is removed from upper support  102  of system  100 . At  820 , upper support  102  moves in an upward direction to default position  600 . Lifting of upper support  102  may be accomplished by means of springs, a motor that uses a portion of the energy generated by the shaft or mechanically using the weight of load L as it is removed from system  100 . At  830 , upward movement of upper support  102  causes folding supports  106  to expand. Expansion of folding supports  106  includes scissor arms  108   a ,  108   b  pivoting about pivotable hinge  110  to expand to distance D 1  between upper support  102  and lower support  104 . Wheels  116  slide in upper track  112  and lower track  114  to reduce horizontal distance H 2  between adjacent wheels  116 . At  840 , as wheels  116  slide along tracks  112 ,  114 , wheels  116 C attached to gear rack assembly  400  cause upper gear rack  402  and lower gear rack  404  to move. Wheels  116 C slide in a direction toward the respective terminal ends  120  of front section  200  and rear section  300 . Wheel  116 C of front section  200  pulls upper gear rack  402  toward terminal end  120  of front section  200 . Wheel  116 C of rear section  300  pulls lower gear rack  404  toward terminal end  120  of rear section  300 . At  850 , as upper gear rack  402  and lower gear rack  404  move, gear  406  is rotated in a counterclockwise direction due to engagement of gear teeth  412  with upper rack teeth  408  and lower rack teeth  410 . As gear  406  rotates in counterclockwise direction, shaft  414  does not rotate with gear  406 . 
     The present disclosure relates to a generator system  100  utilizing the weight of loads L that are present in a certain area for a certain period of time on a recurrent basis. That is, loads that undergo recurrent loading and unloading. Examples of such loads include, but are not limited to, vehicles in parking, ports, airports, etc., cargo/merchandise on top of ships, trucks, trains, etc., luggage/cargo/merchandise in stores, airports, ports, etc., people seated in theatres, polyvalent rooms, stadiums, waiting areas etc. or in vehicles, bicycles, chairs etc. and water in rivers or accumulated rainwater. The term load in this context includes, but is not limited to, vehicular and non-vehicular loads, where vehicular loads include land, air and water vehicles such as bicycles, automobiles, trucks, trains, ships, helicopters and airplanes. Non-vehicular loads include but are not limited to cargo, merchandise, luggage, animals, people and water. 
     The present disclosure relates to a generator system  100  which may be used in spaces with existing infrastructure, limiting the need for additional and expensive real estate for power generation. For example, where a bridge may exist and receives recurrent static loads of vehicles, the disclosed power generation system may be built into existing bridge with the same footprint of existing bridge such that additional real estate is not needed. Below description refers to examples of system  100  in existing locations and infrastructure for power generation. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9  and  10   , an application of the generator system  100  is illustrated which utilizes cargo as load L which may be stored, for example, at a port. Ports already include cargo storing areas. System  100  may be implemented in existing cargo storing areas such that additional real estate is not needed, or only minimally so. Load L includes a plurality of shipping containers  902  which are positioned on upper support  102  of system  100 . System  100  is illustrated in a compressed position  610  as described above in  FIG.  6 B . As load L is positioned on upper support  102  of system, weight of shipping containers  902  causes system  100  to compress as described above in the steps of  FIG.  7    which occur when load L is positioned on system  100  and system  100  moves from expanded position  600  to compressed position  610  and generates power.  FIG.  10    illustrates system  100  from a top-view. System  100  may include a plurality of rows  904  of shipping containers  902  acting as load L. Shaft  414  extends from a first row  904 A of the plurality of rows  904  and extends past each row  904 B,  904 C,  904 D. Shaft  414  is connected to automatic transmission box  416  and dynamo  418  for converting rotational movement of shaft  414  into electrical power as shaft  414  rotates due to downward movement of upper support  102  caused by weight of load L. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , an application of the generator system  100  is illustrated which utilizes a vehicle  1100  as load L. System  100  includes a ramp  1102  on front section  200  for vehicle  1100  to drive up onto upper support  102 . Upper support  102  may include a stopper  1104  such as a barricade on rear section  300  to prevent vehicle  1100  from falling off upper support  102  or it may include an additional ramp to drive off upper support  102 . As vehicle  1100  drives onto upper support  102 , weight of vehicle  1100  begins compression of system  100  and power generation as described above. System  100  may be used in locations such as parking lots or garages where existing spaces exists for vehicles  1100  to park such that additional real estate is not required. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  12 A- 12 C , an application of the generator system  100  is illustrated which utilizes the weight of water  1206  in a channel  1202 ,  1204  as load L. A portion of river  1200  may include two channels  1202 ,  1204  carried on system  100 . A first channel  1202  may include an open gate  1208  for filling first channel  1202  with water  1206 . System  100  compresses and generates power as described above under weight of water  1206  acting as load L. Second channel  1204  may have a closed gate  1214  preventing water from entering second channel  1204  such that system  100  is in expanded position  600 . First channel  1202  may then close gate  1206  to empty water  1206  and return to expanded position  600  while second channel  1204  opens gate  1208  to receive water  1206  and move to compressed position  610  to generate power. 
     Therefore, according to the disclosure, when load L is added to upper support  102 , weight of L lowers upper support  102  such that scissor arms  108  expand in horizontal direction by wheels  116  sliding in tracks  112 ,  114 . As wheels  116  slide in tracks  112 ,  114 , upper gear rack  402  and lower gear rack  404  are pushed towards a midpoint of system  100 , rotating gear  412  and shaft  414  such that rotational movement from shaft is transferred to dynamo  418  for power generation. 
     Thus, according to the disclosure, a generator system configured to support a load and create electrical power includes a plurality of folding supports, a gear rack assembly positioned at a midpoint of the system, and a generator assembly. The system includes an upper support movable in an upward and a downward direction and a lower support that is fixed and extends parallel to the upper support. The plurality of folding supports includes at least two corresponding pairs of scissor arms, an upper track and a lower track, and a plurality of wheels for connecting the at least two pairs of scissor arms to the upper track and the lower track. The gear rack assembly includes an upper gear rack and a lower gear rack, a gear engaging the upper gear rack and the lower gear rack, and a shaft positioned at a center of the gear for rotating in a one-directional manner with the gear. The generator assembly includes a dynamo, the shaft connected to the dynamo for converting the one-directional rotational movement of the shaft into electrical power. When the load is added to the upper support, a weight of the load lowers the upper support such that the scissor arms expand in a horizontal direction by the plurality of wheels sliding in the upper track and the lower track, and the plurality of wheels push the upper gear rack and the lower gear rack, rotating the gear and the shaft, such that the rotational movement of the shaft is transferred to the dynamo for electrical power generation. 
     Also according to the disclosure, a system configured to generate power from supporting a load includes a lower support that is stationary and an upper support movable in an upward and a downward direction. The generator system includes at least two folding supports, a first folding support and a second folding support positioned on opposite ends of the system between the upper support and the lower support. The generator system includes a gear rack assembly positioned at a midpoint of the system between the first folding support and the second folding support, the gear rack assembly including an upper gear rack connected to the first folding support, a lower gear rack connected to the second folding support, and a gear for engaging the upper gear rack and the lower gear rack. The generator system includes a generator assembly including a shaft rotatable with the gear, the shaft connected to a dynamo for converting rotational movement of the shaft to electrical power. When the load is added to the upper support, a weight of the load lowers the upper support such that the folding supports expand in a horizontal direction and push the upper gear rack and the lower gear rack, rotating the gear and the shaft, such that the rotational movement of the shaft is transferred to the dynamo for electrical power generation. 
     According to the disclosure, a method of generating power includes positioning a load on an upper support of a system, the upper support configured to move in a downward direction under weight of the load, compressing a plurality of folding supports, the plurality of folding supports positioned between the upper support and a lower support, pushing a pair of gear racks attached to the plurality of folding supports in a horizontal direction, rotating a gear engaged with the pair of gear racks, rotating a shaft engaged with the gear, the shaft connected to a dynamo, and converting rotational movement of the shaft into electrical power at the dynamo. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the disclosed materials, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Furthermore, any numerical examples in the following discussion are intended to be non-limiting, and thus additional numerical values, ranges, and percentages are within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. 
     While the disclosed materials have been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the embodiments are not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, that disclosed can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the disclosed materials. Additionally, while various embodiments have been described, it is to be understood that disclosed aspects may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, that disclosed is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.