Power generation from vehicle wheel rotation
View Patent ↗An apparatus may generate energy in response to a vehicle wheel rotation. The apparatus may include a roller, a shaft, and a generator. The roller may rotate in response to a movement or motion of the wheel and may apply a friction to the wheel to decrease a rotational velocity of the wheel. The shaft may rotate in response to a rotation of the roller. The generator may generate an electrical output based on rotation of the shaft and convey the electrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of the vehicle.
1. An apparatus for generating energy in response to a vehicle wheel rotation, the apparatus comprising:
a roller configured to:
transition to an engaged state in which the roller contacts a wheel of the vehicle when a brake pad of the vehicle contacts the wheel;
rotate in response to a movement or motion of the wheel;
apply a friction to the wheel to decrease a rotational velocity of the wheel; and
transition to a disengaged state in which the roller does not contact the wheel when the brake pad of the vehicle is removed from contact with the wheel;
a shaft configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the roller; and
a generator operably coupled to the shaft and configured to:
generate an electrical output based on a rotation of the shaft; and
convey the electrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of the vehicle that converts electrical energy to kinetic energy to cause movement or motion of the wheel.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the roller is configured to transition between the engaged state and the disengaged state in response to a user input.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the roller is configured to transition between the engaged state and the disengaged state in response to an operation of a braking system of the vehicle.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to operate with a braking system of the vehicle.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a second roller, wherein the roller is configured to contact a first sidewall surface of the wheel, and wherein the second roller is configured to contact a second sidewall surface of the wheel opposite the first sidewall surface.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the roller is configured to contact a sidewall surface of the wheel.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the roller is configured to contact a curved surface of the wheel.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the roller is substantially cylindrical.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the roller comprises a non-uniform diameter.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device comprises a capacitor.
11. A method for generating energy in response to a vehicle wheel rotation, the method comprising:
transitioning a roller to an engaged state when a brake pad of the vehicle contacts a wheel of the vehicle;
rotating the roller in response to a movement or motion of the wheel;
by the roller, applying a force to the wheel to decrease a rotational velocity of the wheel;
transitioning the roller to a disengaged state when the brake pad of the vehicle is removed from contact with the wheel;
rotating a shaft in response to a rotation of the roller;
generating an electrical output at a generator based on a rotation of the shaft; and
conveying the electrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of the vehicle that converts electrical energy to kinetic energy to cause movement or motion of the wheel.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transitioning the roller between the engaged state and the disengaged state in response to a user input.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transitioning the roller between the engaged state and the disengaged state in response to an operation of a braking system of the vehicle.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising operating the roller with a braking system of the vehicle.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising contacting the roller with a first sidewall surface of the wheel and contacting a second roller with a second sidewall surface of the wheel opposite the first sidewall surface of the wheel.
16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising contacting the roller with a sidewall surface of the wheel.
17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising contacting the roller with a curved surface of the wheel.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the roller is substantially cylindrical.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the roller comprises a non-uniform diameter.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device comprises a capacitor.