WO2010086814A1

WO2010086814A1 - Method and system for distributable generation, storage and use of electric charge

Info

Publication number: WO2010086814A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/050383
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ashish Gawade
Original assignee: Ashish Gawade
Priority date: 2009-01-30
Filing date: 2010-01-28
Publication date: 2010-08-05

Abstract

Disclosed is a distributable electricity generating system having the ability to be physically charged by the user utilizing personal body mechanics using an pedaling input or other mechanical linkage that is engineered to assume adaptable conformations for use either as a fixed electrical power generating station or for use as a portable electrical power generating station capable of easy docking to conventional modes of mechanized transport. Also described are modes of charging, storage, discharging of said system.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTABLE GENERATION, STORAGE AND USE OF ELECTRIC CHARGE

[001 ] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] The present invention relates generally to utilization of stored electricity generated using renewable forms of energy and particularly to distributable assemblies, methods and systems for enabling generation, storage and use of such said electricity.

[003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[004] Commercial, residential and industrial facilities are becoming increasingly more demanding in their energy needs. For the less privileged population, mere access to energy has now become equitable to opportunity for socio- economic development, and hence, an absolute imperative for procurement - such being subject to resource-cost hindrances involved in generation, storage and transport of energy.

[005] According to traditional practice, all energy consumers have been purchasing energy from a central regulated facility. On-site generation of energy has not usually been relegated to purposes beyond emergency backup or fulfilling short-term energy requirements. However, with advances in the field of portable power generating equipment, there has been a steady change in outlook - Using on-site generation as primary power or selling such energy back to the grid being proven measures worth mention.

[006] Typical power generation technologies that may be implemented in distributed (on-site) locations include microturbines, fuel cells, reciprocating engines, photovoltaic cells, microgrids and the like. However, their performance levels, being subject to availability of fuel, water, sunlight etc, are generally suboptimal on a long term basis. Also, the infrastructure costs, energy generation capacities, technical complexities and therefore, maintenance costs of such currently available systems make their mass usage less practical on terms of both economy and enablement.

[007] Thus, there is a pressing need for methods and systems for enabling low / no-cost distributed power generation, storage and use, all further characterized by reliable performance and minimal maintenance requirements. [008] The present invention, in general relates to electrical generators and, more particularly, to bicycles and human powered devices that are capable of generating electric energy when pedaled.

[009] The use of a bicycle to generate electricity is, to some degree, known. However, current and prior designs have certain limitations. For example, current known designs offer only one speed, thereby only one range of resistance, subject only to the speed of pedaling and the load on the generator. A wide range is required. For example, a young person of limited physical strength is in need of a gear ratio that permits as easy pedaling as possible (i.e., a high gear ratio resulting in less revolutions of the generator per revolution of the bicycle pedal). Whereas, a strong athletic person needs a much lower gear ratio if they are to receive a proper workout. Therefore, there is a need for multiple speeds.

[010] An additional problem that multiple speeds would solve is that it would permit a user to initiate usage by beginning in a low gear, one that is easy to pedal. As speed increases, the gear could be changed to accommodate the higher speed. Also, if additional electrical load were placed on the system, the gear could be lowered for easier pedaling. This would allow the non-athletic person to utilize the system even when there was a substantial electrical load and therefore, substantial mechanical resistance.

[011 ] Also, the way the alternator is driven is important for a variety of reasons. Prior art designs that utilize a belt drive, for example, waste energy due to friction and lack of positive drive. It also makes the bicycle difficult to disconnect, if necessary, from its charging station. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved drive system that is modular and dockable to the charging station.

[012] An especially important need is that of using the bicycle as a bicycle when it is desired, one that does not provide any resistance from the generator. To accomplish this, the bicycle must be readily separable from the stand (i.e., charging station) to which it is supported. [013] Another especially important need is that when a bicycle is being ridden on the road, there are times when it is desirable to generate electricity, for example, when coasting downhill, and times when it is inappropriate to generate electricity, for example, when pedaling up a steep hill. It is desirable to provide a bicycle that can be adjusted to generate and store electricity or not when it is being ridden on the road.

[014] Another problem is that the load placed on the rider when generating electricity provides uneven resistance to pedaling. For example, when the pedals are straight up and down, it is especially difficult to maintain rotation of the crank (that part to which the pedals are attached). Accordingly, there exists today a need for an electric generating convertible bicycle that helps to ameliorate the above-mentioned difficulties. Clearly, such an apparatus would be a useful and desirable device.

[015] Attempts to resolve the said problems find mention in prior art. Conventional bicycles are usually equipped with an electricity generator (dynamo) which generates electricity by rotating a bicycle wheel so as to supply the electricity to a lighting device. Japanese Patent Application numbered 63-502652 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1 -23900 have disclosed a bicycle electricity generator which is attached to the axle of a bicycle wheel. Similarly, another conventional bicycle electricity generator, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application numbered. 63-502652, comprises a stator mainly consisting of a coil, and a rotor mainly consisting of a magnet, both of which are combined together by means of a bearing. In more detail, the stator is fixed on a fork of a bicycle, whilst the rotor is fixed onto spoke members of a bicycle wheel. While the bicycle is running, the rotation of a bicycle wheel will cause the rotor to rotate, thereby enabling the generator to produce electricity.

[016] Another conventional bicycle electricity generator, which is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1 -23900, also comprises a stator and a rotor, both of which are combined together by means of a bearing. In more detail, the stator is fixed on the axle of a bicycle wheel, whilst the rotor is fixed on a hub which is freely rotatable with respect to the wheel axle and holds a number of spokes. While the bicycle is running, the rotation of a hub will cause the rotor to rotate, thereby enabling the generator to produce electricity.

[017] Extent of charging and discharging as of the true capacity of a rechargeable battery has direct linkage with maintenance of its performance levels over a long term basis. Accordingly, it is required to provide a battery management system for measuring voltage and current of the overall battery to efficiently manage charging/discharging operations of each battery cell. In this line, it is required to have a substantially accurate estimate of the state of charge (SOC) level of the charged and discharged battery.

[018] Conventional methods for estimating the SOC level require measurement of exact state of charge requiring complex and expensive circuitry and mandate use of involve Mosfets, micro-controllers, etc. These methods are classified into an SOC estimation method using an integrated current and an SOC estimation method using an open circuit voltage (OCV).

[019] In the SOC estimation method using the integrated current, a charge and discharge current value is measured, a value obtained by multiplying the measured current value by a charging efficiency is integrated over a predetermined duration of time to calculate an integrated charging capacity of the battery, and the SOC level is estimated based on the integrated charging capacity. The charge and discharge current is the current generated by the battery during the time the battery is being charged or during the time it is being discharged. However, in the SOC estimation method using the integrated current method, since the charging efficiency required for integrating the current value depends on the SOC level, current value, and temperature, it is difficult to detect the charging efficiency adapted to various conditions. It is also difficult to calculate a self-discharge state when the battery is not being used. Thus, it is desirable for design of a circuit that is less expensive to manufacture yet overcomes disadvantages mentioned hereinabove and moreover provides for accurate monitoring of battery charge levels.

[020] While the structural arrangements of the above described devices, at first appearance, have similarities with the present invention, they differ in material respects. These differences, which will be described in more detail hereinafter, are essential for the effective use of the invention and which admit of the advantages that are not available with the prior devices.

[021 ] Thus, there still exists a need for an apparatus and method of operation for lossless generation and storage of electrical energy while being capable of robust, maintenance free, repetitive utilization. To address these and other problems of art have been focus of research by the present inventors who have come up with novel solutions to the same. The description hereinunder seeks to explain and elaborate various nuances of these novel solutions.

[022] OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[023] It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an electric generating convertible apparatus that is readily convertible from an electric generating station to a bicycle that is capable of being ridden and vice versa.

[024] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electric generating convertible bicycle that can be used in remote locations or impoverished areas that do not have access to electricity.

[025] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electric generating convertible bicycle that can be used to generate and accumulate electrical energy when the bicycle is being ridden on the road at certain times under discretion of a rider and prevented from doing so at other times.

[026] Still another object of the present invention is to provide for a system for storage and use of electrical energy which is independent of the source of electrical energy.

[027] Still another object of the present invention is to provide for a self powered device for use as an information dissemination aid in areas having little or no electrical connectivity. [028] Still another object of the present invention is to provide for a battery management system which protects battery from damages due to overcharging/ drying up or over voltages during charging.

[029] These and other objects of the present invention shall present themselves to the reader upon the summary and detailed description of invention contained hereinafter.

[030] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[031 ] The present invention relates to a field power generation and energy storage device that can utilize numerous natural and artificially produced kinetic energy sources to create mechanical kinetic energy which is then stored, preferably in one or more motile / stationary configurations, and can later be released on demand to create electric power or do other mechanical work.

[032] More specifically the preferred version describes a kinetic energy input and storage system that can utilize rotational kinetic energy, or linear kinetic energy converted into rotational energy, which is transferred as mechanical energy to drive a gear system that drives the shaft of an electrical generator. Generated electrical energy may be stored in apt devices such as ultracapacitors or super capacitors or batteries or battery-capacitor hybrid devices etc.

[033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[034] Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[035] The electricity generating system constructed in accordance with principles of the present invention comprises of a structural bicycle frame fitted with a pedal mechanism, handle bars and seat. Mechanical energy of user exhibited while pedaling is used for generation of electrical energy.

[036] According to one aspect of the present invention, the pedaling mechanism of this stationary frame is modified to accommodate a transmission system to increase the output speed. The transmission system achieves the desired output speed in two stages. In the first stage the main axel of the stationary bike that is driven by the pedals has a large gear of diameter d1 mounted on it. Mated with this gear is a smaller gear of diameter d2 mounted on an intermediate shaft. Said intermediate shaft has a third gear of diameter d3 = d1 mounted on it. It may be understood by the reader that d3 may also be different from d1. The third gear mates with a fourth gear of diameter d4 = d2 mounted on the output shaft. Using this two stage gear mechanism the input speed at the pedal axle is increased by a certain multiples at the intermediate shaft and another certain multiples from the intermediate shaft to the output shaft. The choice of increasing speed by four multiples per stage is based on the operating speed requirements for energy conversion (mechanical to electrical), package space, ergonomics of pedaling and most importantly cost. Similar embodiments are suggested which are characterized by different speed amplification per stage.

[037] According to another aspect of the present invention, cost of the electricity generation apparatus has been kept minimum. The transmission system has been engineered using non-traditional materials for gears as well as bearings. Traditionally transmission systems use high strength steel (High carbon) to sustain shear and bending stresses on the gear teeth. However, the transmission system of the present invention has been engineered to use, in combination, plastic gears and some metal gears to reduce costs, weight, maintain strength and enhance wear properties. Material used for the gears is polyacetal and variants of nylon or similar plastics with or without reinforcements like glass.

[038] Another unique aspect of the present invention lies in the fact that the transmission system comprises three gears made from plastic and fourth gear made of steel. This gives the required strength to the gears at the lowest cost possible. Similar to the gear material is the material used in bearings that hold the three shafts of the gear box. Typical gear boxes use steel roller or ball bearings for strength. The gear box of the present invention has two variants- One uses ball bearings while other uses plastic bush bearings, which give the required strength at one tenth the cost of steel bearings. Material used for bearings is variants of polyacetal or nylon or other.

[039] The transmission system of the present invention is capable of handling the power transmission in either lubricated or un-lubricated condition. Here "un- lubricated" also includes bearing filled with lubrication for life. It can work with any lubricant- oil or grease based systems. This "un-lubricated" version allows the product to operate in areas where the users are totally untrained and would never change the oil. This is accomplished by proper choice of mating gear material (3 plastic and 1 metal gear combination).

[040] According to another embodiment of the present invention, speed of the output shaft may be varied by inclusion of a chain or belt drive. By said mechanism, the pedal shaft utilizes two or more stage chain/ belt drives and sprocket wheels to transfer motion. This can be used in combination with one other or gears as well.

[041 ] According to another embodiment of the present invention, speed of the output shaft may be increased by inclusion of a friction wheel. In this case the gear on the output shaft is replaced with a friction wheel. The gear box described in claim 1 above is replaced with a standard bike sprocket and chain mechanism and wheels with tires. The rear wheel of a bike (rubber tire) mates to a friction wheel consisting of a material with high coefficient of static friction with respect to rubber tire. The rotating bike wheel, in contact with the friction wheel, turns the friction wheel. The diameter of the friction wheel is built such that the desired output shaft speed is increased several times from the pedaling speed. Ratio equals diameter of the wheel to the diameter of the friction wheel. The friction wheel is directly mounted on the output shaft, or generator shaft to produce electricity. The gears, shafts and the generator may be packaged compactly inside an enclosure/ casing/ housing made out of plastic or cast metal. [042] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the electricity generating apparatus is capable of assuming a conformation so as to allow it being used in conjunction with an conventional vehicle of locomotion, such as a bicycle or tricycle or motorcycle. As such, the said apparatus may be used in conjunction with a bicycle plying on the road. However, rotating the energy generation shaft would require more energy output from the rider who would thus be strained. The present invention addresses this problem by providing a low cost simple cable/ wire based clutch mechanism that engages and disengages the generator from the rear wheel tire. Therefore, the rider can easily, while riding, choose to apply this load without the use additional tools. As an exemplary embodiment, the rider may choose to engage the electricity generating apparatus when going downhill whereupon the extra pedaling effort needed to drive the generator shaft would be compensated, in part or fully, by the gravitational pull acting on the bicycle along the slope being traversed.

[043] According to another embodiment of the present invention, speed of the output shaft may be increased by using a knurled generator rotor or stator casing (as appropriate). In this case, the outer surface of the generator rotor is knurled (or coated with appropriate materials like rubber or resins or ceramic etc). This creates a high frictional surface on the outer side of the rotor. This knurled surface may be then mounted such that it is directly in contact with the rubber tire. The resulting high coefficient of friction between the generator rotor knurled surface and the rubber tire causes proper engagement and better transmission of power. This eliminates the need for separate transmission system (gears, pulleys, belts etc).

[044] According to yet another feature of the present invention, the electricity generating apparatus is capable of attaining a conformation necessary for acting as a stationary electricity generation apparatus. The present invention provides for enablement of this feature by including a bracket stand mounted to the rear axle of the bicycle that lifts the bicycle above the ground. This enables the users to drive the mechanism as a stationary bicycle. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the stationary electricity generation assembly may be accomplished via provision of a docking mechanism for docking a conventional unmodified bicycle into a frame in operational attachment with the electricity generator. The docking mechanism provides for a bracket / stand that serves for lifting rear wheel of the bicycle above the ground and thus available for driving the generator shaft. Said docking may be achieved via tool less mechanisms or requiring minimal tooling.

[045] According to another aspect of the present invention, the energy generation means consist of an AC or DC alternator mounted on the output shaft of the transmission system. The output shaft which is also the generator shaft rotates at a several multiples higher speed than the input shaft (or pedal shaft) converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy. Uniqueness in the present invention is that the transmission system acts as an electromechanical device. The electrical output is an alternating current. The electrical output, AC, is converted to DC using a circuit consisting of rectifier composed of schottky or other high efficiency diodes. The present invention allows for adaptability as to the type of generator used. In different exemplary embodiments of the present invention, use of several generator types, i.e Ferrite magnet generator and Permanent magnet NdFeB generator, is illustrated which provide for optimum throughput of the electricity generation process. Other generators like brushless/ with brush DC, induction generators etc may also be used.

[046] According to another aspect of the present invention, the exertion on part of the rider for driving the generator shaft is reduced by inclusion of a flywheel. Flywheel helps smoothen out the variations in input and output. Accordingly, a flywheel is mounted on the outside of the transmission system Case/ housing and on the output or generator shaft (vs. other shafts). This drastically reduces the flywheel mass. The uniquely rim type flywheel has more inertia than a simple solid disk type. Flywheel inertia is also proportional to the radius of the flywheel. Inclusion of the flywheel thus reduces the load on the legs of the person pedaling as it evens out the energy expended in pedaling Hence, by using larger radius both material and cost savings may be achieved. The inertia of the said flywheel is not calculated from conventional formulas. It is derived by use of theoretical calculations and empirical observations based on fitness levels of several individuals of Indian origin subjected to test, power requirements and system efficiency. The flywheel thus lightens load on the legs of the person pedaling. It also converts the coast down kinetic energy of the flywheel and efficiently converts it into electricity using a PWM switching charging circuit even after the user has stopped pedaling. This is accomplished by the "one way clutch" type of bearing used in conjunction with rest of the system. This energy is further captured using generator and pulse width modulation (PWM) based charging circuit.

[047] Another unique feature of the present invention is ability to collect the coast- down energy of the flywheel into useful electricity. As the person pedaling the bike stops pedaling momentarily, due to possible fatigue on the legs, the flywheel continues to rotate and decelerate due to its own moment of inertia. This is enabled by a one-way-clutch mounted on the output shaft. An alternative to this arrangement may be mounting it on pedal or intermediate shaft. This one-way-clutch known as the "Freewheel" may act as the bearing for the fourth gear on the output or generator shaft. As the person pedaling the bike stops momentarily, the freewheel engages and keeps the flywheel, output shaft and the generator rotating under their own moment of inertia. As the output shaft or the generator shaft rotates, it is continuously converting the rotary motion into electrical power. As the flywheel decelerates, this electrical power decreases. This is the "Coast-down power" of the system. The advantage of this system is that the mechanical energy is being continuously captured into the useful electrical energy irrespective of continuous pedaling input by the rider.

[048] According to another aspect of the present invention, the electricity thus generated needs able mechanisms for storage. A person with relatively higher strength compared to someone else who is weaker, generates more electrical power. This results in higher currents and voltages at the output of the generator. A strong person could generate maximum rated power that the generator is capable of generating. An energy storage device capable of capturing this high power is required. Such a device is an Ultracapacitor. Ultracapacitors have emerged as the leading contenders in terms of longer life and having the highest power density among all the energy storage devices available conventionally. This suits well with the pedal generator application of the present invention since the energy input in pedaling is a function of the strength of the person driving the stationary bike. The present invention uses one of the largest ultracapacitors currently available in the market. The Ultracapacitor used in the present invention is capable of capturing required amount of energy within seconds. Ultracapacitor is a storage device. Due to physical characteristics of the internal mechanism and chemistry of an Ultracapacitor, the Itra-capacitor can charge and discharge large amounts of current- around 100 Ampere plus. Typical Ultracapacitor based energy storage devices use a bank of multiple ultracapacitors in series and parallel due to the voltage and current limits of single cell. Uniqueness of the present invention is that it uses a single Ultracapacitor capable of carrying upto I OOamp continuous input current. It is capable of storing required amount of energy within seconds.

[049] To capture the high power output from the generator, a DC-DC converter is required in between the generator and the Ultracapacitor. The high power DC-DC converter converts output from the 12V DC generator to the voltage specification of the Ultracapacitor rated for 3.0V. This DC-DC converter uses a high efficiency PWM circuit which ensures efficiency upwards of 90%. Such a PWM DC-DC along with Ultracapacitor for energy storage in a pedal generator is a unique invention. It also includes over voltage protection.

[050] According to another aspect of the present invention, the energy generated by pedaling effort on part of the rider may be stored in a Lithium Ion (LiFePO4, or other variants) based battery. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, high power multi-chemistry Lithium Ion cells are used that are capable of accepting high charging currents. This enables packing the desired energy in the cells in under ten minutes. Typically with Lithium chemistry cells, a single cell has a nominal charge rate of 1 C. This is recommended to get the rated cycle life from the cells. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a much higher charge rate is used (several times higher than 1 C) yet has the capability of maintaining the cycle life. This is achieved by limiting the percentage (%) State of Charge (SOC) and Depth of Discharge (DOD) window while charging and discharging respectively. Normal operation of the cell involves full charging and discharging. However, the present invention uses partial SOC/DOD window while cycling the batteries. Thus, while charging, the cell is charged upto about 80% of its available capacity. The battery pack is continuously monitored to ensure the SOC does not exceed the 80% limit. Limit of charging may be amended to suit battery size and chemistry. Then in the discharge mode, the battery pack discharging is stopped when the available energy in the cell reaches 30% of the maximum capacity. To monitor the SOC, the present invention uses a unique method of battery voltage as a surrogate for state of charge and discharge. This allows use of simpler and cheaper circuits compared to a standard SOC monitoring circuit used in Lithium Ion cells. During discharge the LED driver (or any other load circuit) uses a comparator that checks the battery voltage and ensures that it does not fall below a certain limit. By intelligent choice of LEDs with appropriate forward voltage and combination of resistors and transistors in series, an extremely low cost and reliable circuit for LED driver and UVLO is achieved. If it falls below the limit the discharging is stopped. Expensive microcontroller plus mosfet based commercially available LED drivers are avoided. The types of Lithium cells used are Li-Ion and its variant containing LiFePO4. This method for prolonging the battery life and safe use of the battery can be used along with other batteries like NiMH as well as newer devices like battery/ ultra-capacitor hybrids.

[051 ] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a common multi chemistry charger has been developed which is capable of setting the different cell voltages and current in charging mode. The charger is based on a synchronous PWM (pulse width modulation) switching circuit to ensure high efficiency.

[052] Another unique feature of the present invention is that the (SOC) monitoring is designed in two different circuits. In the charging mode, the SOC is monitored by the battery charger circuit. In discharge mode, the depth of discharge (DOD) monitoring is accomplished in the load side circuit. Typical chargers are built with battery monitoring functionality in one circuit. The present invention uniquely splits the two monitor points. These two devices can also be physically located in separate installations/ end applications. This eliminates use of expensive circuits too. [053] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the charging circuit that uses battery voltage as a surrogate for monitoring state-of-charge of the cell. This is possible for certain battery chemistries because the discharge curve for certain loads is fairly linear. The charging algorithm is programmed such that the microcontroller loaded with this algorithm continuously senses the battery voltage as a surrogate of SOC. As soon as the voltage reaches the pre-defined maximum value, the algorithm switches the battery to a safe charging mode of constant voltage while reducing the charging current, thus protecting the battery from overcharging. This SOC monitoring is built into the battery charger which is part of the charging station.

[054] According to another aspect of the present invention, DOD monitoring is provided by a disparate circuit wherein battery monitoring in discharge mode is completely isolated (physically as well) from the charging circuitry. The depth of discharge is preset to a value such that bottom 25% of the battery energy remains unused. This is achieved in similar way to SOC monitoring, i.e through the use of surrogate. The surrogate signal in this case being the falling voltage of the battery. The microcontroller circuit that powers the LED / other intended electrical device also continuously monitors the battery voltage and cuts of the battery from the usage load when battery voltage reaches the preset value. This is referred to as the under voltage lockout (UVLO) of the battery. Furthermore, it would be obvious to the reader that the circuit may be built such that the value of the cut-off voltage is programmable by the user and that the same circuit can work on batteries of multiple chemistries and types having different allowable cut-off voltages.

[055] As evident from teachings of the art, any battery requires due protection from over voltage and over current during the charging cycle. The present invention addresses this need by incorporating appropriate over current protector (OCP) and over voltage protector (OVP) in the charging circuit. The over voltage circuit is configured in a way wherein the charger outputs a constant preset voltage no matter how hard the user pedals the bicycle. The over current protector is built around the battery which allows only a certain amount of charging current if the battery is attempted to be charged independent of the pedaling device, for example, if the battery is directly connected to a high voltage source.

[056] Thus, the SOC, DOD monitoring and OVP, OCP modules ensure that the battery, under all circumstances, works within the safe thresholds of charge content and is ably protected from instances of damage due to over voltage

[057] Another unique feature of the present invention is the heat dissipation mechanism. Typical battery charger applications require special heat sinks mounted to the PCB board to dissipate the heat generated in power transfer. The present invention uses a unique way of using the Transmission system metallic housing itself as the heat sink. The PCB board is integrated into the metallic Transmission system and is in direct contact with the casting. This enables the Transmission system to act as the heat sink and does not require special large heat sink required in case of other chargers. This saves the overall cost of the system and makes the design more compact. The charging system is thus designed to independent of the source of power. It can be charged from any source (solar, wind etc) with little of no modifications. This is thus a platform solution wherein various alternatives embodiments shall suggest themselves to the skilled reader.

[058] Another aspect of the present invention is the provision of a screen for display of information / commercial content which may be provided as direct transmission from a remote location or via recorded media (or through mechanical or electro-mechanical rolling screen). Provided as an attachment with the mechanical energy device such as the stationary bicycle, the said screen serves as a platform for spreading awareness among the users of the proposed system and further, cost amortization via revenue from sponsored advertisements or pay-per-view content (like movies etc). Reception of display content / connectivity may be enabled via GSM modems or internal modems of cell phones, the latter being connected to the display pads via suitable jacks. Another feature that may be made available is that of SMS texting via provision of a supplementary keyboard attached to the said screen. The user, after connecting his cell phone to the screen pad, may use the larger keyboard for sending text messages / chatting / using interactive content displayed on the screen. [059] An energy meter may be used in one of the variants of this system such that it provides the user the information on amount of energy expended as well. During these days of climate change/ global warming mitigation, it is necessary to motivate people to use environmentally friendly products. This energy generating device is indeed an environmentally product. In order to quantify to the user, how much carbon dioxide he/ she has saved by generating one's own power (instead of using kerosene lamp or power from coal fired plant), a energy meter can be customized to provide equivalent Carbon dioxide replaced info as well. We may choose to call this meter the "carbon meter". This is another portion of the invention.

[060] Another variant of this carbon meter will be capable of transmitting this carbon dioxide saved information wirelessly or via cell phone download or via phone line to the auditing agencies for processing carbon credits.

[061 ] Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preferred specific embodiments mentioned herein are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the disclosure in any way whatsoever. The distributable, yet functional nature of assembly of the present invention shall make itself evident to the reader upon the foregoing description and all alternative and equivalent variants are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

[062] Yet other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and drawings wherein there is described and shown a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As will be realized, the present invention is capable of various other embodiments and that its several components and related details are capable of various alterations, all without departing from the basic concept of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive in any form whatsoever. Modifications and variations of the process and methods described herein will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and variations are intended to come within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

I claim,

1 ) A distributable system for generation, storage and use of electrical energy, said system comprising, in combination,

■ an assembly for generation of electricity, said assembly further comprising a) at least one structural frame for acting as chassis of said electrical generation system, said frame being characterized in having a seat and handle for mounting by a human user and at least one rotatable primary axle associated with said frame for acting as a attachment hub for at least one pedal and primary gear wheel for manual operation by said human user, b) an amplification component to escalate kinetic energy of said primary gear wheel and drive a rotatable gear shaft, said amplification means comprising gear wheels and bearings made of materials chosen among polyacetal, nylon their variants and the like characterized in that diameter of the first gear wheel is same as that of third and diameter of second gear wheel is same as primary gear wheel in association with said primary axle, c) means chosen among belt and chain drives for connecting said gear shaft with generator shaft of an electrical generator and d) charging circuit for filtering current generated by said generator; and

■ an assembly for storage and use of electrical energy output from said electrical generator, said assembly further comprising a) batteries characterized by high power density and minimum charging time b) means for usage of stored electrical energy in contact with the said battery via a discharging circuit.

2) The distributable system for generation, storage and use of electrical energy according to claim 1 wherein said amplification component is in operative association with a flywheel for maintaining rotation of the said gear shaft upon cessation of pedaling input by user and thereby using coast down energy of the pedaling input.

3) The distributable system for generation, storage and use of electrical energy according to claim 1 wherein charging and discharging circuits of the said battery are located independent of each other, the former being part of the electrical energy generation assembly and the latter being part of the electrical energy storage and usage assembly.

4) The distributable system for generation, storage and use of electrical energy according to claim 1 wherein the said structural frame may be chosen independently among the group comprising stationary frames, common art bicycles or motorcycles.

5) The distributed battery management system for ensuring safe operation of a rechargeable battery within user defined threshold levels of electrical charge, said system comprising, in combination,

■ a charging circuit programmed to monitor voltage of a battery during charging and discharging cycle, said program configured to switch the charging to a constant voltage mode upon reaching a predetermined threshold voltage, said charging circuit being further characterized in being programmed to a) output a constant output voltage irrespective of electrical input;

■ Discharging circuit programmed to monitor voltage of a battery during discharging cycle, said program configured to switch off the discharging of battery upon reaching a predetermined threshold voltage.

6) The distributed battery management system for ensuring safe operation of a rechargeable battery within user defined threshold levels of electrical charge according to claim 7 wherein said charging circuit is capable of accepting input electricity from sources chosen among mechanical electrical generating assembly of claim 1 , main electrical lines and the like.

7) A distributed battery management system for ensuring safe operation of a rechargeable battery within user defined threshold levels of electrical charge according to claim 1 wherein said minimum and maximum threshold levels of electrical charge for ensuring safe operation of rechargeable battery are about 15% to 35% and 65% to 95% respectively of the maximum storage capacity of the said battery.

8) A self powered device for rendering of audio-visual information content, said device comprising, in combination, ■ a screen for rendering audio-visual content, said content being chosen amongst that stored in storage means and broadcast over a communications network; and

■ at least one assembly for generation of electricity of claim 1 for powering the said screen.

9) The self powered device for rendering of audio-visual content of claim 5 wherein means for storage of audio-visual content are chosen among common art tapes, compact discs, flash drives and the like.

10) The self powered device for rendering of audio-visual content of claim 5 wherein said communications network is chosen among satellite link, mobile network, radio transmission and the like.