Wheel-driven battery charger

A battery charging system for a ground-supported, non-motorized animal-drawn vehicle, the vehicle supported by a plurality of wheels connected thereto by an axle, the system comprising:

• a hub for rotatably connecting at least one of the plurality of wheels to the axle, said hub rotating as the vehicle is moved across the ground;
• a generally cylindrically-shaped housing structure connected to said hub and rotating with said hub, said housing structure having an interior and an exterior surface;
• a generator rotor disposed generally adjacent said interior surface perimeter of said housing structure to define a generally cylindrical, centrally disposed interior region and a generator stator connected to the axle and disposed within said interior region, said rotor and stator combining to form an electric power generator having an output voltage caused by and varying with the rate of rotation of said hub;
• at least one output conductor;
• and
• a voltage control unit connected to said at least one output conductor, said voltage control unit receiving said electric power produced by said generator, transforming said power output to a predefined voltage having a value, and directing said power output via a charging conductor to a battery whereupon said power output restores the charge of said battery.

A method for charging a battery on a non-motorized vehicle supported by a plurality of wheels comprising the steps:

• providing a ground-supported vehicle supported by a plurality of wheels connected thereto by at least one axle;
• providing a generator connected to at least one of the plurality of wheels for rotation by the wheel, the generator having a rotor and a stator for producing electric power output responsive to rotation of the wheel, the generator having at least one output conductor for conveying electric power output from the generator;
• providing a voltage control unit connected to the at least one output conductor, the voltage control unit receiving electric power produced by the generator;
• moving the vehicle by non-motorized means to cause rotation of the wheel and connected generator thereby producing electric power output having a voltage;
• conducting by the at least one output conductor, the power output to the voltage control unit;
• transforming, by the voltage control unit, the power output to a predefined voltage having a value;
• and
• directing the power output via a charging conductor to a battery whereupon the power output restores the charge of the battery.