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AbstractA power-generating device can include a dynamo for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, a switch capable of short-circuiting output terminals of the dynamo, a controller capable of controlling the switch, a rectifier for rectifying an output of the dynamo, and a charging portion capable of storing the output of the dynamo. The controller can perform chopper control for cyclically turning on and off the switch in accordance with a PWM signal. Where an electromotive voltage of the dynamo is lower than a charged voltage, a boosted voltage can be produced by chopper amplification. If the electromotive voltage is low, it can be charged in the charging portion if the boosted voltage is increased to a sufficient level prior to charging. | InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 020702 filed on 02/09/1998US Classes:368/204, Electrical320/166, CAPACITOR CHARGING OR DISCHARGING323/222, Using choke and switch across source323/282, Switched (e.g., switching regulators)363/89, With transistor control means in the line circuit363/127TransistorField of Search368/64, With supplemental power source368/66, With power monitor368/203, POWER SUPPLY DETAILS368/204, Electrical368/205, Solar cell323/222, Using choke and switch across source323/282, Switched (e.g., switching regulators)323/281, With reference voltage circuitry323/288, With ramp generator or controlled capacitor charging363/83, With electron tube or valve as control means in the line circuit363/89, With transistor control means in the line circuit363/127, Transistor320/166, CAPACITOR CHARGING OR DISCHARGING320/167, For large capacitance (e.g., "super" capacitor, memory backup capacitor, etc.)320/101, WIND, SOLAR, THERMAL, OR FUEL-CELL SOURCE320/102With shuntless charging source controlExaminersPrimary: Miska, Vit W.Attorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent References4519024, Two-terminal transistor rectifier circuit arrangementIssued on: 05/21/1985 Inventor: Federico , et al.5001685, Electronic wristwatch with generator Issued on: 03/19/1991 Inventor: Hayakawa5130960, Power supplies for electronic device Issued on: 07/14/1992 Inventor: Hayakawa5510972, Bridge rectifier circuit having active switches and an active control circuit Issued on: 04/23/1996 Inventor: Wong5835456, Timepiece including an electric power generator Issued on: 11/10/1998 Inventor: Farine, et al.5866278, Electrolytic manganese dioxide, process for preparing the same, and manganese dry cell Issued on: 02/02/1999 Inventor: Sumida, et al.5982157Chopper-amplifier for the voltage of a photovoltaic power source, in particular for a timepiece Issued on: 11/09/1999 Inventor: Wattenhofer, et al. Foreign Patent References
International ClassesG04B 001/00G04C 003/00 H02N 007/217 G05F 001/40 Foreign Application Priority Data1997-02-07 JP |