An electric generator which can be coupled to an exercise machine is described. The electric generator is connected to a power grid. Using the mechanical movements of the exercise machine, the generator can produce and feed electricity into the grid, thereby creating a decentralized grid system which is immune to node failures. The generator can communicate with a smart device of a user. The generator can inform the user of the amount of electricity generated by the user while working out. The generator or an application of the smart device can communicate this data to a service provider. Using this data, the service provider can pay the user for the electricity generated. In particular, the service provider can utilize a cryptocurrency to reward the user for the human generated electricity.

A human-powered generator includes a frame and a pedal crankset and crankset sprocket rotatably mounted on the frame, a flywheel rotatably mounted on the frame including a flywheel-crankset sprocket a flywheel-countershaft sprocket, a countershaft rotatably mounted on the frame including a countershaft-flywheel sprocket and a countershaft-alternator sprocket, and an alternator including an alternator drive shaft and an alternator sprocket. The human-powered generator also includes a crankset-flywheel drive chain, a flywheel-countershaft drive chain, and a countershaft-alternator drive chain. A pedaling cadence at the pedal crankset of between approximately 60 RPM and approximately 100 RPM achieves an alternator drive shaft RPM of between approximately 2,000 RPM and approximately 5,000 RPM.

A human-powered generator includes a frame and a pedal crankset and crankset sprocket rotatably mounted on the frame, a flywheel rotatably mounted on the frame including a flywheel-crankset sprocket a flywheel-countershaft sprocket, a countershaft rotatably mounted on the frame including a countershaft-flywheel sprocket and a countershaft-alternator sprocket, and an alternator including an alternator drive shaft and an alternator sprocket. The human-powered generator also includes a crankset-flywheel drive chain, a flywheel-countershaft drive chain, and a countershaft-alternator drive chain. A pedaling cadence at the pedal crankset of between approximately 60 RPM and approximately 100 RPM achieves an alternator drive shaft RPM of between approximately 2,000 RPM and approximately 5,000 RPM.

A kitchen appliance includes a self-contained pull string drive device and a work unit. The device is configured for manually rotating a work unit around a rotation axis by pulling a string transversely to the rotation axis A. The device includes a drive wheel, a return spring, all positioned coaxially relative to the rotation axis A, a string, one end of which is wound around the drive wheel and the other end of which is connected to a handle. The work unit includes a lid closing a bowl. The pull string drive device is configured to be detachable from the lid of the bowl. The lid includes a male or female part joined to a drive interface, to cooperate with the drive wheel by mechanical coupling in order to transmit a rotational movement from the device to the work unit.

An electric generator which can be coupled to an exercise machine is described. The electric generator is connected to a power grid. Using the mechanical movements of the exercise machine, the generator can produce and feed electricity into the grid, thereby creating a decentralized grid system which is immune to node failures. The generator can communicate with a smart device of a user. The generator can inform the user of the amount of electricity generated by the user while working out. The generator or an application of the smart device can communicate this data to a service provider. Using this data, the service provider can pay the user for the electricity generated. In particular, the service provider can utilize a cryptocurrency to reward the user for the human generated electricity.

A footwear system can employ a brake and/or a clutch, such as a one-way clutch, to convert human motion into usable electricity. The brake and one-way clutch can be used together, such as on opposite ends of a spring. During a storage phase, the brake can be engaged and the one-way clutch disengaged so the spring stores an energy. After the storage phase, the brake can be removed to initiate the release phase since the brake is not stopping the spring, but the one-way clutch allows the stored energy to be released.

A power generation device includes a body, an electric generator, a hub, and an arm. The body extends from a first end to a second end and a longitudinal axis extends from the first end to the second end. The electric generator is housed within the body and includes a rotor. The hub is coupled to the body at the first end and is rotatable with respect to the body about the longitudinal axis. The arm extends from the hub such that the arm is rotatable with the huh about the longitudinal axis. The arm is pivotably coupled to the hub such that arm is pivotable with respect to the hub about a pivot axis that is non-collinear with the longitudinal axis. Rotation of the hub and the arm about the longitudinal axis causes rotation of the rotor of the generator to generate electrical power.

A power generation device includes a body, an electric generator, a hub, and an arm. The body extends from a first end to a second end and a longitudinal axis extends from the first end to the second end. The electric generator is housed within the body and includes a rotor. The hub is coupled to the body at the first end and is rotatable with respect to the body about the longitudinal axis. The arm extends from the hub such that the arm is rotatable with the huh about the longitudinal axis. The arm is pivotably coupled to the hub such that arm is pivotable with respect to the hub about a pivot axis that is non-collinear with the longitudinal axis. Rotation of the hub and the arm about the longitudinal axis causes rotation of the rotor of the generator to generate electrical power.

A passive energy-storage exoskeleton for assisting elbow joint is provided, which includes an upper arm unit, a lower arm unit, and an elbow joint unit located therebetween, the upper arm unit is rotatably connected with the lower arm unit. The elbow joint unit includes an anti-gravity mechanism, a coil spring mechanism, and a lower-arm-unit self-locking mechanism. The anti-gravity mechanism generates an equilibrant moment to eliminate the influence of the weight of the arm of the user and the weight of the device on the elbow joint. The lower-arm-unit self-locking mechanism is configured for locking/releasing the lower arm unit at any specified angle of rotation. The coil spring mechanism is configured for capturing and storing kinetic energy generated by rotation and swing of the arm of the user and releasing the energy as required.

A passive energy-storage exoskeleton for assisting elbow joint is provided, which includes an upper arm unit, a lower arm unit, and an elbow joint unit located therebetween, the upper arm unit is rotatably connected with the lower arm unit. The elbow joint unit includes an anti-gravity mechanism, a coil spring mechanism, and a lower-arm-unit self-locking mechanism. The anti-gravity mechanism generates an equilibrant moment to eliminate the influence of the weight of the arm of the user and the weight of the device on the elbow joint. The lower-arm-unit self-locking mechanism is configured for locking/releasing the lower arm unit at any specified angle of rotation. The coil spring mechanism is configured for capturing and storing kinetic energy generated by rotation and swing of the arm of the user and releasing the energy as required.