Motion Induced Electrical Generator

Abstract

A motion induced generator is mounted to a vehicle or conveyance to harness the oscillatory motion generated during travel of the vehicle or conveyance, and may be coupled to at least one device or system, such as an external rail car lighting system, a global positioning device, a diagnostic device, or a combination thereof. Once the motion of the vehicle is harnessed and translated into usable and/or storable energy, the current or voltage is transmitted directly to the units for immediate consumption or for storage in a battery, capacitor, or a combination thereof.

1 . An electric generator mounted on a vehicle comprising:
 a frame pivotally attached to said vehicle at a pivot point such that said frame hangs in the fashion of a pendulum;   wherein said frame includes a plurality of support arms with each of said plurality of support arms located at a different radius from said pivot point;   wherein each of said plurality of support arms includes at least one magnet disposed upon said support arms;   said generator further comprising a plurality of rows of electrical coils mounted on said vehicle such that each row of coils consists of one or more coils mounted upon said vehicle and such that each row of electrical coils is disposed at a fixed radius from said pivot point;   wherein movement by said vehicle produces an oscillatory movement of said frame such that said rows of magnets are urged into electromagnetic communication with said rows of coils thereby generating alternating current in said coils; and   a rectifying circuit operatively coupled to said coils such that said circuit converts the alternating current to direct current.   
   
   
       2 . The generator of  claim 1 , wherein the rectifying circuit is operatively coupled to an electrical device, providing power to operate said electrical device. 
   
   
       3 . The generator of  claim 1 , wherein the rectifying circuit is operatively coupled to an energy storage device. 
   
   
       4 . The generator of  claim 1  further comprising means for inhibiting excessive range of bi-directional motion of said frame. 
   
   
       5 . The generator of  claim 1 , wherein said frame comprises a wedge-shaped perimeter. 
   
   
       6 . The generator of  claim 1 , wherein said vehicle is a rail based vehicle such as a train car, subway car or gondola. 
   
   
       7 . The generator of  claim 2  wherein said electrical device is a global positioning system or a tracking system. 
   
   
       8 . The generator of  claim 1  wherein said generator is further comprised such that said frame is coupled to said vehicle via a means for providing bidirectional motion to the movement of said frame with respect to said vehicle. 
   
   
       9 . The generator of  claim 8  wherein said means for providing bi-directional motion is either a spring, hinge, bearing or elastic member. 
   
   
       10 . An electric generator mounted on a vehicle comprising:
 a frame pivotally attached to said vehicle at a pivot point such that said frame hangs in the fashion of a pendulum;   wherein said frame includes a plurality of support arms with each of said plurality of support arms located at a different radius from said pivot point;   wherein each of said plurality of support arms includes at least one electrical coil disposed upon said support arms;   said generator further includes a plurality of rows of magnets mounted on said vehicle such that each row of magnets consists of one or more magnets mounted upon said vehicle and such that each row of magnets is disposed at a fixed radius from said pivot point;   wherein movement by said vehicle produces an oscillatory movement of said frame such that said rows of electrical coils are urged into electromagnetic communication with said rows of magnets thereby generating alternating current in said coils; and   a rectifying circuit operatively coupled to said coils such that said circuit converts the alternating current to direct current.   
   
   
       11 . The generator of  claim 10 , wherein the rectifying circuit is operatively coupled to an electrical device, providing power to operate said electrical device. 
   
   
       12 . The generator of Claim  10 , wherein the rectifying circuit is operatively coupled to an energy storage device. 
   
   
       13 . The generator of  claim 10  further comprising means for inhibiting excessive range of bi-directional motion of said frame. 
   
   
       14 . The generator of  claim 10 , wherein said frame comprises a wedge-shaped perimeter. 
   
   
       15 . The generator of  claim 10 , wherein said vehicle is a rail based vehicle such as a train car, subway car or gondola. 
   
   
       16 . The generator of  claim 11  wherein said electrical device is a global positioning system or a tracking system. 
   
   
       17 . The generator of  claim 10  wherein said generator is further comprised such that said frame is coupled to said vehicle via a means for providing bidirectional motion to the movement of said frame with respect to said vehicle. 
   
   
       18 . The generator of  claim 17  wherein said means for providing bi-directional motion is either a spring, hinge, bearing or elastic member.