Methods and apparatus for generating energy using fall protection devices

A fall protection device comprising:

• an elongate member for interconnecting a user and a support structure;
• a generator to generate electrical power in response to potential energy of the fall protection device being converted into kinetic energy during a fall;
• an energy storage capacitor to store the generated electrical power;
• a controller powered by the energy storage capacitor, the controller to generate a message in response to an action from use of the fall protection device;
• and
• a wireless transmitter powered by the energy storage capacitor, the wireless transmitter to transmit the message
• wherein the elongate member is a lifeline at least partially wound about a rotatable member, the movement of the elongate member being at least one of pulling and retracting of the lifeline relative to the rotatable member,
• wherein the lifeline and the rotatable member are part of a self-retracting lifeline, the self-retracting lifeline comprises a mechanical retracting lifeline lanyard, and wherein the energy harvester comprises a flywheel rotor with a one-way clutch to store kinetic energy in response to pulling of the lifeline and to generate electrical power when the flywheel rotor is rotating.

A fall protection device comprising:

• an elongate member for interconnecting a user and a support structure;
• an impact indicator connected to the elongate member;
• a controller connected to at least one of the elongate member and the impact indicator to generate a message in response to an impact;
• an energy harvester to generate electrical power in response to movement of the elongate member;
• and
• a transmitter connected to the controller to transmit the message
• wherein the elongate member is a lifeline at least partially wound about a rotatable member, the movement of the elongate member being at least one of pulling and retracting of the lifeline relative to the rotatable member,
• wherein the lifeline and the rotatable member are part of a self-retracting lifeline, the self-retracting lifeline comprises a mechanical retracting lifeline lanyard, and wherein the energy harvester comprises a flywheel rotor with a one-way clutch to store kinetic energy in response to pulling of the lifeline and to generate electrical power when the flywheel rotor is rotating.

A fall protection device comprising:

• an elongate member for interconnecting a user and a support structure;
• a sensor connected to the elongate member;
• an energy harvester to generate electrical power in response to movement of the elongate member;
• and
• a controller connected to the sensor to generate a message in response to movement of the elongate member
• wherein the elongate member is a lifeline at least partially wound about a rotatable member, the movement of the elongate member being at least one of pulling and retracting of the lifeline relative to the rotatable member,
• wherein the lifeline and the rotatable member are part of a self-retracting lifeline, the self-retracting lifeline comprises a mechanical retracting lifeline lanyard, and wherein the energy harvester comprises a flywheel rotor with a one-way clutch to store kinetic energy in response to pulling of the lifeline and to generate electrical power when the flywheel rotor is rotating.