Abstract:
A system for automatically recharging a battery includes a converter that responds to indirect, reactive forces (e.g. vibrations and jerks) that are externally applied to the system. The response is a generation of electrical energy. A central controller in the system can then, simultaneously or selectively: 1) route this electrical energy directly to a user; 2) transfer the electrical energy to a battery for the recharging of the battery; and 3) divert the electrical energy to a storage unit for subsequent use in recharging the battery or direct use by the user.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention pertains generally to battery rechargers. More particularly, the present invention pertains to systems for continuously and automatically recharging batteries. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a system for recharging a battery wherein the system includes a generating unit for continuously converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, and a storage unit for storing the electrical energy for either immediate or subsequent use in recharging of the battery. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    By definition, energy is the capacity of a body for doing work. Further, work is accomplished by moving a force through a distance and, also by definition, work is a manifestation of energy. Moreover, in accordance with Newtonian physics, it is well known that a body (i.e. a mass) creates a force when it is accelerated. With all of the above in mind, and considering the physical inter-relationships of these concepts, it can be appreciated that a moving body will generate energy. Indeed, many examples of this phenomenon can be cited. Within the present context, energy can be either mechanical or electrical. And, as is well known, the two different forms of energy can be converted from one to the other. 
         [0003]    For a conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy, it is well known that kinetic energy created by the movement of a magnetic field (e.g. movement of a permanent magnet) relative to a conductor coil will create an electrical current in the conductor coil. This current can then be stored as electrical energy in a capacitor. Although there are many different kinds and types of systems, machines and apparatuses for generating and storing electrical energy, the traditional approach has been to somehow harness the direct effects of the forces. For instance, solar, wind, hydro and petrochemical sources are all commonly considered for generating storable electrical energy. There are, however, other effective force systems for generating energy. In particular, many unharnessed and overlooked force generators can be effective sources of energy. In general, these are indirect reactive forces that result from random object movements such as those caused by vibrations, collisions, shaking, jerks, and shocks. Though such forces may be inconsistent, irregular and/or of variable modulation they, nevertheless, are capable of generating storable energy. 
         [0004]    In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for its use that effectively harnesses indirect, reactive forces for generating storable electric energy. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for recharging a battery, while simultaneously using energy from the battery for work. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for recharging a battery that is easy to use, is simple to manufacture and is comparatively cost effective. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In accordance with the present invention, a system for automatically recharging a battery includes an energy converter for generating electrical energy from kinetic energy. The electrical energy that is generated can then be used to recharge a battery, or it can be stored in a storage unit for subsequent use in recharging the battery. As controlled by a central controller (i.e. a central control system), the electrical energy is either transferred directly to the battery, or it is diverted to the storage unit (e.g. a capacitor). For this function, control depends primarily on the charge state of the battery, and on how much storage capacity remains in the storage unit. 
         [0006]    In combination, components for the system of the present invention include a rechargeable battery, an energy converter, and a central controller. More specifically, the rechargeable battery can be of any type well known in the pertinent art. Further, the energy converter will be of a size and arrangement that is compatible with the battery. As envisioned for the present invention, the central controller determines where the electrical energy that is generated by the converter will be transferred or diverted in the system. 
         [0007]    Structurally, the energy converter will include at least one permanent magnet that is surrounded by a dedicated coiled conductor. In this arrangement, the permanent magnet is free to reciprocally move along a substantially linear pathway inside the coiled conductor. In particular, this movement will be in response to any force that is externally applied to the system. In accordance with well known physical principles, such a movement of the permanent magnet will then generate an electrical current in the coiled conductor. This current will have an alternating current (a.c.) that can be characterized as electrical energy. 
         [0008]    Whenever an a.c. current is generated by the mechanical components of the converter, it is rectified and will be used in the system as determined by a central controller. Specifically, as determined by the central controller, the electrical energy from the converter can be sent either directly to the battery for recharging the batter, or to a storage unit where it can be stored for subsequent use. Thus, the essential function of the central controller is to determine where the electrical energy is to be directed in the system. 
         [0009]    As indicated above, the system of the present invention includes a storage unit. Preferably, the storage unit is a capacitor and the central controller monitors the storage capability of the storage unit. Specifically, this storage capability is expressed as a percentage of the full capacity of the storage unit. In any event, based on the charge state of the battery and the availability of storage capability in the storage unit, the central controller can cause the system to operate in either of several modes. These are: Mode I—transfer electrical energy directly from the converter to the battery for use; Mode II—divert electrical energy to the storage unit for storage and subsequent use; Mode III—provide electrical energy from the converter for direct use; Mode IV—stop recharging the battery and divert all electrical energy from the converter into the storage unit until the battery is recharged; and Mode V—continuous use of the battery with any of the Modes I-IV. 
         [0010]    In a preferred operation, Mode I will be used so long as the storage unit is filled to greater than approximately 90% of its full capacity. Modes I, II and III will be used whenever the storage unit is filled to between about 10% to 90% of its full capacity. And, Mode IV will be used whenever the storage unit falls below about 10% of its full capacity. Mode V pertains at all times. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a system for automatically recharging a battery in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the kinetic energy-electrical energy converter of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the kinetic energy-electrical energy converter of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of components and the associated energy characteristics relative thereto for the system shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an operational flow chart for the functioning of a central controller of the system of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1  a system for automatically recharging a battery in accordance with the present invention is shown and is generally designated  10 . As shown, the system  10  includes a re-chargeable battery  12  that is electrically connected to a converter  14 . As intended for the present invention, a central controller  16  is also used to coordinate the operation of the system  10 . 
         [0018]    In greater detail,  FIG. 1  shows that a preferred embodiment of the converter  14  includes three kinetic-electrical energy conversion units  18   a ,  18   b , and  18   c . Specifically, these units  18   a,b,c  are respectively positioned so at least one of the units  18   a,b,c  will respond to any external force that may be applied to the system  10 . To do this, the individual energy conversion units  18   a,b,c  are oriented for rotation about three, substantially orthogonal axes (e.g. x-y-z). In order to understand their operation, an exemplary energy conversion unit  18  is shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0019]    The energy conversion unit  18  shown in  FIG. 2A  includes a lever arm  20  that is supported for rotation around a fulcrum  22  in directions indicated by the arrow  24 .  FIG. 2A  also shows that a permanent magnet  26  is suspended from an end  28  of the lever arm  20 , and that another permanent magnet  26 ′ is suspended from the opposite end  30  of the lever arm  20 . It is also shown in  FIG. 2A  that the magnets  26  and  26 ′ are positioned to move linearly along respective pathways  32  and  32 ′. In particular, the pathways  32  and  32 ′ are created by the respective conductor coils  34  and  34 ′. With this arrangement, any rotation of the lever arm  20  around the fulcrum  22  will cause the magnets  26  and  26 ′ to move relative to the conductor coils  34  and  34 ′ in directions indicated by arrows  36  and  36 ′. These movements of the magnets  26  and  26 ′ will then generate an electrical current in the coils  34  and  34 ′. For purposes of the present invention, the magnets  26  and  26 ′ are preferably permanent magnets of any type well known in the pertinent art, such as magnets made of Neodium, or SMC, or any other material having strong magnetic properties. Further, the magnets  26  and  26 ′ can be electrical magnets. 
         [0020]    An alternate embodiment for an energy conversion unit  18  is shown in  FIG. 2B . For this alternate embodiment, a permanent magnet  26  is suspended from an end  38  of an extension arm  40 . The end of extension arm  40  that is opposite end  38  is mounted at a pivot point  42  on a base  44 . As so mounted, the extension arm  40  is set to rotate around the pivot point  42  in directions indicated by the arrow  46 . With this movement of the extension arm  40 , the permanent magnet  26  is moved in the pathway  32  of the conductor coil  34 , to generate a current in the conductor coil  34 . A spring  48  is shown connected to the magnet  26  in  FIG. 2B  for the purpose of stabilizing the magnet  26  as it is moved within the pathway  32 . For the present invention, the spring  48  is preferably made of steel, or of some other non-magnetic pliable material. 
         [0021]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the controlled flow of electrical energy through the system  10  is shown to begin with the operation of an energy conversion unit  18 . By way of example, the alternating current (a.c.) electrical energy that is generated in the conductor coil  34  of energy conversion unit  18  is depicted as the graph  50 . It is to be noted at this point that the a.c. electrical energy from the conversion unit  18  can be taken directly therefrom to do work. This possibility is indicated by the dash arrow  52  in  FIG. 3 . The a.c. electrical energy, however, can also be sent from the conversion unit  18  to a rectifier  54  where it is effectively converted to direct current (d.c.) electrical energy. This conversion to d.c. electrical energy is depicted, by example, in graph  56 . If desired, the d.c. electrical energy can be taken directly from rectifier  54  and used to do work. This possibility is indicated by the dash arrow  58 . Alternatively, the d.c. electrical energy can be transferred either to the re-chargeable battery  12 , or diverted to a storage unit  60 . From the storage unit  60 , d.c. electrical energy (see graph  62 ) can be subsequently used to automatically recharge the re-chargeable battery  12 . With the above structural and functional aspects of the system  10  in mind, an operational overview as to how the system  10  works under control of the central controller  16  will be best understood with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0022]    In  FIG. 4  it is to be appreciated that the converter  14 , the rectifier  54 , and the re-chargeable battery  12  all function substantially as disclosed above. Further,  FIG. 4  shows that electrical energy from the converter  14  is available to a user  64  from each of these components. Specifically, as indicated by the line  66  in  FIG. 4 , a.c. electrical energy is available to the user  64  directly from the converter  14  (i.e. energy conversion unit  18 ). Line  68  in  FIG. 4  indicates that d.c. electrical energy is also available to the user  64  from the rectifier  54 . Further, line  70  indicates that electrical energy is available from the battery  12 . These are all direct access sources (i.e. converter  14 , rectifier  54  and battery  12 ) of electrical energy, and they provide this energy to user  64  either selectively or simultaneously. Importantly, however, the system  10  provides for automatically replenishing the supply of electrical energy. As mentioned above, this capability of system  10  comes from its ability to harness energy from the various external random forces to which the system  10  may be operationally subjected. 
         [0023]    For the process of automatically replenishing, or renewing, the available electrical energy in system  10 ,  FIG. 4  indicates that the central controller  16  continuously monitors the charge state of the re-chargeable battery  12  (see inquiry block  72 ). If the battery  12  is not 100% charged, central controller  16  then determines the availability of electrical energy from the storage unit  60 . For purposes of making this determination, the availability of electrical energy is expressed as a percentage of the full storage capacity of storage unit  60  (e.g. 75% means the storage unit  60  is 75% full). For purposes of the present invention, the storage unit  60  is preferably a capacitor. This, however, is only exemplary. As envisioned for the system  10 , the storage unit  60  may actually be another battery (not shown). In any event, inquiry block  74  indicates that the central controller  16  will divert electrical energy to the storage unit  60  for storage, when the additional storage capability falls below a predetermined level (e.g. &lt;x %). In this case, a typical level is reached when the storage unit  60  is less than about 95% full. Action block  76  then shows that electrical energy stored in the storage unit  60  is available for recharging the re-chargeable battery  12 . More specifically, this availability continues so long as the amount of electrical energy in storage unit  60  remains above another predetermined level (e.g. &gt;y %). 
         [0024]    As indicated in  FIG. 4 , inquiry block  78  will allow recharging of the re-chargeable battery  12  from the storage unit  60  until the capability of the storage unit  60  falls below a predetermined level (y %). Typically this will be about 10% of its full capacity. When the storage unit  60  is less than this level (i.e. 10%), action block  80  shows that central controller  16  will stop recharging operations. And, inquiry block  82  indicates that once this happens, recharging operations will cease until the storage unit  60  is again at 100% capacity. 
         [0025]    While the particular Auto-Charging Battery System as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.