Patent ID: 7645246

Claim:
A method for generating power during a locomotion cycle from mechanical energy of a living body, the method comprising: disposing an energy absorbing and converting device across a joint of the living body, the energy absorbing and converting device configured to be selectively in an engaged state and in a disengaged state during selected portions of the locomotion cycle while the device remains disposed across the joint of the living body; engaging the device and absorbing mechanical energy of the living body only during a portion of the locomotion cycle during which muscles of the joint would otherwise be doing work across the joint to absorb mechanical energy of the living body; disengaging the device during a portion of the locomotion cycle during which the muscles are doing work across the joint to increase mechanical energy of the living body; and at least partially converting the absorbed mechanical energy to converted energy and providing the converted energy to one of an energy storage device or power consuming device.