An intelligent energy module of an electrically assisted bicycle includes a battery management system, a controller and a motor. The battery management system includes a battery and an analog front end. The analog front end is electrically connected to the battery assembly. The controller includes a micro controller unit and a driver. The micro controller unit is electrically connected to the analog front end. The driver electrically connected to the micro controller unit. The motor is electrically connected to the driver and controlled by the driver. The battery assembly, the analog front end, the micro controller unit and the driver are disposed on a same circuit board.

A solar wireless collector beacon (data hub) and associated method stores source data, received wirelessly from a data source, in a data buffer of the data hub. Sensor data is read from one or more onboard sensors of the data hub and stored as structural and/or environmental data in the data buffer. The environmental data is processed to determine an operating status of a vehicle being used with the data hub and an energy harvester of the vehicle is controlled to harvest energy from the vehicle based on the operating status. One or more of the operating status, the source data, and the environmental data is wirelessly transmitted from the data hub to an external device.

An apparatus for a bicycle includes an intermediate power connector configured for transmitting power between a bicycle component and a power source positioned remote from the bicycle component. The intermediate power connector has a coupling portion configured for removable attachment to a connecting portion of the bicycle component. The bicycle component can also include a battery having a battery coupling portion configured for removable attachment to the connecting portion of the bicycle component. The battery and the intermediate power connector can be selectively attachable to the bicycle component to provide power thereto.

An electric bicycle assembly for propelling a bicycle includes a bicycle that includes a first chain sprocket and pedals coupled to the first chain sprocket for rotating the first chain sprocket to propel the bicycle. A second chain sprocket is coupled to the first chain sprocket such that the second chain sprocket is rotated when the first chain sprocket is rotated. A generator is coupled to the bicycle and the generator is rotated to generate electrical energy when the pedals are pedaled. A motor is coupled to the bicycle and the motor is in mechanical communication with the rear wheel. The motor rotates the rear wheel when the motor is turned on for propelling the bicycle.

Wireless power transfer for integrated cycle drive systems is described. A cycle power system includes a rim that is connected to, and positioned concentrically with, a sealed housing that can rotate about an axis. The cycle power system also includes an integrated drive system disposed within the housing. The integrated drive system includes a battery and a motor for driving a cycle by causing rotational movement of the rim about the axis. Additionally, the cycle power system includes an inductive structure that is disposed within the housing, and that wirelessly charges the battery through induction between the inductive structure and remote a charging station.

A power distribution system includes a bidirectional power converter, a battery, and a controller. The bidirectional power converter is operable to (i) convert AC power received at AC terminals to DC power at DC terminals and (ii) convert DC power received at the DC terminals to AC power at the AC terminals. The bidirectional power converter is disposed within a converter stack formed by a plurality of power converters having DC terminals that are coupled to each other in series. The battery is arranged to be selectively couplable to the DC terminals of the bidirectional power converter. The controller is configured to (i) determine that the DC voltage across the DC terminals of the bidirectional power converter is below a threshold voltage and (ii) couple the battery to the DC terminals of the bidirectional power converter based on the determination that the DC voltage is below the threshold voltage.

A charge system and a charge method adapted to a bicycle are provided. The charge system includes a hub dynamo, a power apparatus, a sensor and a control apparatus. The control apparatus is coupled to the hub dynamo, the power apparatus and the sensor. The sensor is adapted to sense a riding condition of the bicycle. According to the riding condition, the control apparatus selects a power supply pattern of the hub dynamo. When the power supply pattern is selected to be a stop pattern, a connection loop between the hub dynamo and the power apparatus is turned off by the control apparatus. When the power supply pattern is selected to a first pattern, the connection loop between the hub dynamo and the power apparatus is turned on by the control apparatus, such that the hub dynamo supplies power to the power apparatus at a first rate.

A portion of ankle movement can be harnessed into stored energy that can be released for various purposes, such as to assist in movement or to charge a battery. This harnessing can be achieved in various manners. In one example manner, an offset pulley component can transfer ankle movement to a generator in a shoe insole. In another example manner, a slider can cause a brace arch to match an ankle arch such that the movement is appropriately harnessed.

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.

Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein for generating energy with a shopping cart. A shopping cart apparatus comprises: a front wheel, a back wheel, a bottom frame, and a power generator assembly. The power generator assembly comprises: a generator coupled to the back wheel, the generator being configured to convert kinetic energy from a rotation of the back wheel to electrical energy, a capacitor element coupled to the generator and configured to store the electrical energy generated by the generator, the capacitor element comprising a first electrode and a second electrode separated by a dielectric material, wherein the first electrode comprises an elongated member of the bottom frame extending from the back wheel toward the front wheel, and a first contact member and a second contact member coupled to the capacitor element and configured to discharge the electrical energy stored in the capacitor element.