# US 2014/0152021 A1 · Weather responsive treadle locking means for power generation system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0152021 A1 - Document ID: US20140152021A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/914,547 - Filed: 2013-06-10 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2009-01-27 - Assignees: Kinetic Energy Corporation - Applicants: Kinetic Energy Corporation - Inventors: Eugene J. Kennedy - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152021A1 ## CPC - F03G 7/083: {using devices on streets or on rails} - H02K 7/025: {for power storage} - H02K 7/07: using pawls and ratchet wheels - H02K 7/116: with gears - H02K 7/1853: {driven by intermittent forces} - F03G: SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (arrangements in connection with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60K16/00; electric propulsion with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60L8/00) - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) ## Abstract A vehicle energy harvester including a subunit having an upper surface forming a roadway surface; a vehicle activated treadle on the subunit, the vehicle activated treadle moveable between a first position in which an upper surface of the treadle is at an angle with respect to the upper surface of the roadway surface and a second position in which the upper surface of the treadle is flush with the upper surface of the roadway surface; a generator that generates power in response to movement of the vehicle activated treadle; and a treadle locking device that selectively locks the vehicle activated treadle in the second position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle energy harvester comprising: a subunit having an upper surface forming a roadway surface; a vehicle activated treadle on the subunit, the vehicle activated treadle moveable between a first position in which an upper surface of the treadle is at an angle with respect to the upper surface of the roadway surface and a second position in which the upper surface of the treadle is flush with the upper surface of the roadway surface; a generator that generates power in response to movement of the vehicle activated treadle; and a treadle locking device that selectively locks the vehicle activated treadle in the second position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle energy harvester of claim 1, wherein the treadle locking device includes: a locking latch on the vehicle activated treadle; and a locking pawl on the subunit that selectively engages the locking latch to lock the vehicle activated treadle in the second position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vehicle energy harvester of claim 2, wherein the treadle locking device includes: a solenoid that selectively engages the locking pawl with the locking latch. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle energy harvester of claim 1, wherein the treadle locking device is concealed below the upper surface of the roadway surface when the treadle locking device is locked in the second position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The vehicle energy harvester of claim 2, wherein the vehicle activated treadle includes a spring that biases the vehicle activated treadle toward the first position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The vehicle energy harvester of claim 2, wherein a first end of the vehicle activated treadle is pivotably coupled to the subunit, wherein the locking latch is mounted on an underside of the vehicle activated treadle at a second end of the vehicle activated treadle that is opposite to the first end of the vehicle activated treadle, and wherein the locking pawl is coupled to the subunit below the upper surface of the roadway surface and adjacent to the second end of the treadle locking device when the treadle locking device is in the second position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle energy harvester of claim 1, comprising: a temperature sensor one of on, in, and under the upper surface of the roadway surface, wherein the treadle locking device selectively locks the vehicle activated treadle in the second position in response to a signal from the temperature sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle energy harvester of claim 1, comprising: a temperature sensor in one of wired and wireless communication with the treadle locking device, wherein the treadle locking device selectively locks the vehicle activated treadle in the second position in response to a signal from the temperature sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vehicle energy harvester of claim 1, comprising: a snow and ice sensor one of on and in the upper surface of the roadway surface, wherein the treadle locking device selectively locks the vehicle activated treadle in the second position in response to a signal from the snow and ice sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vehicle energy harvester of claim 1, comprising: a snow and ice sensor in one of wired and wireless communication with the treadle locking device, wherein the treadle locking device selectively locks the vehicle activated treadle in the second position in response to a signal from the snow and ice sensor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The vehicle energy harvester of claim 1, wherein the snow and ice sensor includes an infrared emitter and an infrared detector. ### Claim 12 A vehicle energy harvester comprising: a plurality of subunits each having an upper surface forming a roadway surface; a vehicle activated treadle on at least one of the plurality of subunits, the vehicle activated treadle moveable between a first position in which an upper surface of the treadle is at an angle with respect to the upper surface of the roadway surface and a second position in which the upper surface of the treadle is flush with the upper surface of the roadway surface; a generator that generates power in response to movement of the vehicle activated treadle; and a treadle locking device that selectively locks the vehicle activated treadle in the second position. ### Claim 13 A vehicle energy harvester comprising: a subunit having an upper surface forming a roadway surface; a vehicle activated treadle on the subunit, the vehicle activated treadle moveable between a first position in which an upper surface of the treadle is at an angle with respect to the upper surface of the roadway surface and a second position in which the upper surface of the treadle is flush with the upper surface of the roadway surface; a generator that generates power in response to movement of the vehicle activated treadle; and treadle locking means for selectively locking the vehicle activated treadle in the second position.