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US 6,896,104 B2Granted
Flat spool elastic motor having time-averaged constant torque output
AssigneeVortex HC, LLC
InventorLewis Illingworth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved elastic motor is disclosed having a constant torque characteristic. The motor utilizes a reel with elastic stretched to its maximum tension. Each unit length of the elastic is allowed to relax back to its normal state while generating work in a process that will continue until the wheel is fully unwound. The present invention will ease design of mobile devices and the like by providing a power source having a predictable and stable output characteristic.
Claims19
A mechanical stored energy device comprising:
- a rotatable drive spool, said rotatable drive spool being oblong;
- a rotatable take-up spool;
- a member, said member being both flexible and stretchable, said member capable of being wound upon and attaching to said rotatable drive spool under tension and further capable of being wound upon said rotatable take-up spool under tension, wherein said tension stretches said member;
- a drive shaft for providing a torque, whereupon said rotatable drive spool is mounted;
- and
- a take-up shaft whereupon said rotatable take-up spool is mounted.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.