Technical Field
[001] This disclosure relates generally to power converter, and more particularly to a system for harnessing mechanical power from humans and animals and converting this mechanical power into other types of power like electrical power.

BACKGROUND
[002] Although long strides have been made in the advancement of the agricultural practices globally; however, some agriculturists, especially from the developing countries, are still dependent on traditional practices. These traditional practices may include utilizing mechanical power obtainable from animals for performing various mechanical tasks as well as generating electricity. For example, agriculture has been increasingly becoming dependent on groundwater irrigation. As a result, there has been a sharp growth in electricity usage in the agriculture sector. The electricity supplied to the agriculture sector is mostly used for pumping water, mostly groundwater, for irrigation, as well as for performing other agricultural activities like food processing, thrashing, and transportation. However, availability of electricity may be a challenge in some locations.
[003] In this regard, various renewable resources of energy may be the key to solving the above problems. For example, the solar energy and wind energy resources may be used. However, solar energy and wind energy may prove to be uneconomical and sometimes impractical. Considering these constraints, it may be meaningful to utilize alternate resources, such as mechanical energy obtainable from animals. Many agriculturists are already reliant on animal such as bullocks and oxen for ploughing and other necessary farm activities. Therefore, for such agriculturists, employing the animals for electricity generation may be even more viable.

SUMMARY
[004] In one embodiment, a system for harnessing mechanical power for performing agricultural activities is disclosed. The system may include a front axle, a rear axle and a frame including at least one track. The system may further include a belt assembly longitudinally extending between the front axle and the rear axle. The belt assembly may further include a plurality of slats interconnected to one another to create a closed loop and a plurality of rollers positioned along a lower surface of the belt assembly. The at least one roller of the plurality of rollers may be attached to each of the plurality of slats and a set of rollers of the plurality of rollers is to contact the track at any point in time during movement of the belt assembly. The belt assembly may further include a transmission assembly attached with the plurality of slats. The transmission assembly may be further coupled with the front axle and the rear axle. The belt assembly may be further configured to move over (wrapped around) the front axle and the rear axle, in response to a treading motion on an upper surface of the belt assembly.
[005] The at least one track may include a left track and a right track. Each of the plurality of slats may include a left roller positioned near a left of the associated slat and a right roller positioned near a right of the associated slat. The left roller may be configured to contact the left track and the right roller may be configured to contact the right track. Each of the plurality of the slats may be made of a plurality of materials including wood, plastic, metal, and rubber. The system may further include at least two flywheels connected via a shaft to at least one of the front axle and the rear axle and a gear box attached to the at least two flywheels for speed multiplication. A braking mechanism may also be associated with the flywheel to stop rotation of the flywheel by applying a required resistance. The front and the rear axle may be rotated based on an input energy received from at least one of a plurality of sources. The plurality of sources includes the treading motion over the belt assembly, a wind power, a solar power, a hydraulic power, or a gravity force.
[006] The system may further include two of the plurality of conveyor wheels are coupled together by a clamp mounted on each of the plurality of slats, and wherein each of the plurality of conveyor wheels are engaged on the track via a plurality of grooves provided in the track. The frame may further include a front end and a back end. The front end of the frame is closed and may include a fodder tray. The back end of the frame may act as a door and a ramp.
[007] The system may further include a pair of front mobility wheels and a pair of rear mobility wheels coupled with the frame. One of the pair of front mobility wheels and the pair of rear mobility wheels is selectively coupled to at least one of the front axle and the rear axle to cause movement of the system. In some embodiments, only two mobility wheels may be placed in the middle of the system. The system may further include a steering rod connected with the pair of front mobility wheels for changing a direction of the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles.
[009] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of a system for generating power, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[010] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective rear view of the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[011] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a flywheel and a braking mechanism of the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[012] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of assembly of a gearbox and an alternator of the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[013] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective front view of the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[014] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the front view of the system of FIG. 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[015] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[016] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. Additional illustrative embodiments are listed below.
[017] Referring to FIGs. 1-7, various different views of a system 100 for generating power are illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of a system 100 for generating power, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective rear view 200 of the system 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view 300 of a flywheel 116 and braking mechanism 118 of the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view 400 of assembly of gearbox 402 and alternator 406 of the system 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective front view 500 of the system 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the front view of the system 100 of FIG. 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates a side view 700 of the system 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the system 100 may generate mechanical power which may be later converted into electrical power.
[018] The system 100 may further include a pair of front mobility wheels 106A and a pair of rear mobility wheels 106B (hereinafter, collectively, referred to as mobility wheels 106) coupled with the frame 102. In some embodiments, only two mobility wheels 106 may be placed in the middle of the system 100, similar to a 2 wheeled tractor trolley. The mobility wheels 106 may be used to transport the system 100 locally, from one place to another. A user may easily relocate the system based on the requirement, via the mobility wheels 106.
[019] The system 100 may include a front axle 120A and a rear axle 120B, as shown in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, one of the pair of front mobility wheels 106A and the pair of rear mobility wheels 106B may be selectively coupled to at least one of the front axle 120A and the rear axle 120B to cause movement of the system 100. Mechanical power generated by the system 100 may be used to move the system 100 from one place to another.
[020] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 may include a frame 102 having at least one track 104. Further, as shown in FIGs. 1-2, the system 100 may include a belt assembly 108 extending longitudinally between the front axle 120A and the rear axle 120B. The belt assembly 108 may include a plurality of slats 110 interconnected to one another to create a closed loop. For example, the plurality of slats 110 may be made of wood. Alternatively, the plurality of the slats 110 may also be made of plastic, metal, and rubber. Further, the plurality of the slats 110 may be coupled with each other to create a flexible loop.
[021] An upper surface of the belt assembly 108 may be configured to undergo treading motion by the animal or the human. The upper surface of the belt assembly 108 may be referred to as a floor from here in the disclosure. The floor may be horizontal or inclined upward. The belt assembly 108 may further include a plurality of rollers 112 positioned along a lower surface of the belt assembly 108. The plurality of rollers 112 may be positioned towards the edge at the lower surface of the belt assembly 108.
[022] At least one roller of the plurality of rollers 112 may be attached to each of the plurality of slats 110. In some configurations, a pair of rollers 112 may be used on each slat, one on each of the left and right edge of the slat. Each roller 112 may include a clamp 114 and at least two wheels mounted to the clamp 114. In some configuration, the clamp 114 may be U-shaped. Alternatively, clamps of other shapes may also be used. The wheel of the roller 112 may be configured to contact the track 104 at any point in time during movement of the belt assembly 108.
[023] As shown in FIG. 6, the system 100 may include a left track 104A and a right track 104B. Each of the left track 104A and a right track 104B may support an associated roller 112. Further, each of the left track 104A and the right track 104B may include a groove formed on it. The groove may be configured to receive the associated rollers 112 which engage with the groove. To this end, a width of the groove may be same as a width of the wheel of the roller that may engage with the groove. For example, one roller 112 may be positioned near a left edge of the associated slat and one roller 112 may be positioned near a right edge of the associated slat. Further, the roller 112 near the left edge may contact the left track 104A and the roller 112 near the right edge may contact the right track 104B. The grooves provided on the track 104 prevent the rollers 112 from being derailed from the associated track.
[024] As shown in FIG. 2, the system 100 may include an entry gate 201 through which an animal or a human may enter the system 100, i.e. the animal or the human may position themselves on the floor of the system 100. The system 100 may further include an upward inclined ramp 202 for entry of the animal or human. Alternatively, a plurality of steps may be provided for entry of the animal or human. The entry ramp 202 may be temporarily coupled to the system 100 or may be retrofitted to the system 100. In some configurations, the entry ramp 202 may be configured to act as a gate by rotating it about axis X-X’ manually, with the help of hinge provided between the floor and entry gate 201. The animal or human may be boarded on the system 100 through the entry gate 201.
[025] In some embodiments, the system 100 may further include a braking mechanism 118, that will be described in detail later in the disclosure. During the boarding of the animal or human on the system 100 through the entry 202, the braking mechanism 118 may be activated to restrict any movement of the system 100, in order to make boarding of the animal or human hassle-free. After entry of the animal or human, the entry gate 201 may be closed, to make system 100 isolated and retain the animal or human on the floor. The system 100 may further include two side barriers 204, so that the animal or human on the floor cannot exit the system sideways.
[026] In some embodiments, initially, the floor may be in a reclined position. Alternatively, initially the floor may be horizontal and may be raised hydraulically or mechanically with the help of adjustable front legs once the animal or human takes the position on the floor. In this case, an angle of inclination may be adjusted such as maximum power can be extracted from the animal without overburdening the animal. At front end of the floor, a fodder tray 206 may be attached wherein fodder for the animal may be provided from time to time. The fodder in the fodder tray 206 may act as an attraction for the animal which may be drawn to climb up to the floor in order to reach to the fodder tray. Once the animal takes position on the floor after entering the system 100, the braking mechanism 118 may be released.
[027] In some embodiments, the floor may be inclined upwardly, so that the gravity causes the floor (i.e. the belt assembly 108) to move on the track 104 via plurality of the rollers 112, under the weight of the animal or human and forces the animal or human to walk if it wants to maintain its position on the floor of the system 100. When the animal or human starts walking on the floor, the belt assembly 108 may start rotating.
[028] In order to transmit the motion generated by the rotation of the belt assembly 108, in some embodiments, the system 100 may further include a transmission assembly 404 attached to the belt assembly 108. For example, the transmission assembly 404 may include a belt provided with tension adjustments and wrapped on at least one of the front axle 120A and the rear axle 120B. Alternately, the transmission assembly 404 may further include a chain that may be used for transmitting the motion. In such embodiments, the chain may be coupled with chain-sprockets which may be provided on the front axle 120A and the rear axle 120B. As such, the chain-sprockets may be attached to the front axle 120A or the rear axle 120B for causing the rotation thereof. The transmission assembly 404 may be further coupled with the front axle 120A and the rear axle 120B to transmit the motion from belt assembly 108 to the front axle 120A or the rear axle 120B. In some configuration, the transmission assembly 404 may be mounted on a shaft via a bearing. The rotation of the shaft may, therefore, be used for performing any mechanical work or generating electricity (e.g. by connecting a dynamo to the shaft).
[029] In some configuration, a one-way bearing may be provided on the front axle 120A to transmit the motion generated by the rotation of the belt assembly 108 to the front axle 120A. The one-way bearing allows the transmission assembly 404 to transmit the rotation from the belt assembly 108 to the front axle 120A, when the animal or human is running towards the front end of the floor where the fodder tray 206 is placed. However, the one-way bearing may cause free motion between the belt assembly 108 and the front axle 120A, when the animal or human is running in opposite direction. In other words, the one-way bearing allows selective transmission of the motion of the belt assembly 108 to the front axle 120A. Further, in some configurations, the transmission assembly 404 may be coupled to the rear axle 120B, via an associated bearing, while the rear axle 120B is kept static, i.e. the belt assembly 108 may rotate relative to the rear axle 120B (which may remain static) via the associated bearing.
[030] In some configurations, one or more transmission hubs may be provided on at least one of the front axle 120A and the rear axle 120B. The treading motion of the animal or the human may be transferred from the belt assembly 108 to one of the front axle 120A and the rear axle 120B, through the transmission hubs. The one of the front axle 120A and the rear axle 120B may be further connected to a transmission shaft through which the rotation from one of the front axle 120A and the rear axle 120B may be harnessed, for example, by using it for generation of electricity or performing any mechanical activities like grinding of grains, driving a mechanical water pump, etc.
[031] In some configurations, the belt or the chain may be positioned towards the edge at the lower surface of the belt assembly 108 (to transmit motion). Alternatively, a belt-and-pulley or chain-and-sprocket arrangement may be provided on the center of the shaft at the lower surface of the belt assembly 108.
[032] The belt assembly 108 may be wrapped around the front axle 120A and the rear axle 120B and may be free to rotate in response to the treading motion of the animal or human on the floor. The front axle 120A and the rear axle 120B may be further rotated (in addition to the rotation derived through the belt assembly 108 via the treading motion of the animal) by one or more energy sources. The one or more energy sources may include a wind power, a solar power, a hydraulic power, or a gravity force. As such, while in some configuration, treading motion of animal or human over the belt assembly 108 may also be used as an input energy to the front and rear axle, in some alternate configurations, a combination of treading motion of animal or human over the belt assembly 108 with the wind power or solar power or hydraulic force or gravity force may be used as an input energy.
[033] As shown in FIG. 3, an exploded perspective view 300 of a portion of the system 100 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 100 may further include a plurality of flywheels 116 connected via a shaft to at least one of the front axle 120A and the rear axle 120B in order to stabilize the rotational speed, so that the system 100 can be operated with more stability. In some configuration, two flywheels may be provided on both end of the rear or front axle.
[034] The braking mechanism 118 may be attached with flywheel 116. The braking mechanism 118 may be friction-based and configured to stop the rotation of the flywheel 116. In some embodiments, the braking mechanism 118 is a nut and screw type mechanism. Alternatively, a disc braking mechanism may be used. The nut and screw type braking mechanism 118 includes a screw 302 and a nut 304 engaging each other. In some configuration, the nut 304 may be fixed with respect to the frame 102 and the screw 302 can move axially with respect to the nut 304 on rotation. A lever 306 may be attached to head of the screw 302 to manually rotate the screw 302 with respect to the nut 304.
[035] To apply the brakes, the screw 302 will be rotated manually in clockwise direction with respect to the nut 304, for example by rotating a lever 306 attached to the screw 302. Rotation of the lever 306 allows the screw 302 to translate axially and to stop rotation of flywheel 116 by applying required resistance. At least two flywheels may be connected via a shaft associated with the front axle 120A or the rear axle 120B (not shown in FIG. 3).
[036] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view 400 of an assembly of a gearbox 402 and an alternator 406 of the system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 100 may further include the gear box 402 that may be attached to the at least two flywheels for speed multiplication. The gearbox 402 which is designed to receive a first end of the shaft may be configured to increase speed (i.e. revolutions per minute or RPM) of the shaft associated with the front axle 120A or the rear axle 120B, to achieve desired speed output. In an exemplary embodiment, the velocity ratio of the gearbox 402 may be at least ¬¬¬¬1:10.
[037] The gearbox 402 may further drive an alternator 406 through a transmission assembly 404. In some configuration, the transmission assembly 404 may be belt-pulley system. The alternator 406 may be an electromechanical device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy, for example, in form of alternating current (AC). The alternator 406 may be configured to convert the kinetic energy that the animal or human imparts to the belt assembly 108 to electrical power that may be stored and/or utilized to operate one or more electrically operable devices. In some embodiments, the electricity generated may be used to drive other farm machinery including hydraulic equipment. The alternator 406 and the gearbox 402 may be placed between the left conveyor track 104A and the right conveyor track 104B.
[038] Referring now to FIG. 5, a front view 500 of the system 100 is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The system 100 may include a steering rod 502 which may be used for changing the direction of the system 100, when it is being transported locally from one place to another. As mentioned above, the system 100 may be transported with the help of an animal or a human (in same manner as bullock cart), i.e. by the mechanical power generated by way of manual labor performed by the animal or the human.
[039] Referring once again to FIG. 6, a cross-sectional front view of the system 100 is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the frame 102 of the system 100 includes the left track 104A and the right track 104B. The belt assembly 108 includes the plurality of slats 110 interlinked to form a closed loop. Further, rollers 112 are attached to the belt assembly 108. For example, rollers 112 are attached towards left edge of the belt assembly 108 as well as towards the right edge of the belt assembly 108. Each of the rollers 112 includes a clamp 114 through which the roller 112 is attached to the associated slat of the belt assembly 108. The roller 112 further includes a pair of wheels that may be attached to the clamp 114, such that the wheels are free to rotate relative to the clamp 114. The rollers 112 are configured to engage with the grooves provided in the left track 104A and the right track 104B. in particular, as shown in FIG. 6, the wheels of the rollers 112 engage with the grooves provided in the left track 104A and the right track 104B.
[040] Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the system 100 may include a shaft associated with the front axle 120A or the rear axle 120B. The system 100 further includes the transmission assembly 404 configured to mechanically couple with the belt assembly 108 and with at least one of the front axle 120A and the rear axle 120B, to transfer the motion of the belt assembly 108 to at least one of the front axle 120A and the rear axle 120B.
[041] Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded perspective view 300 of a flywheel 116 and braking mechanism 118 of the system of FIG. 1 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 100 may further include a plurality of flywheels 116 connected via a shaft to at least one of the front axle (not shown in FIGs. 1-2) and rear axle (not shown in FIGs. 1-2) in order to stabilize the rotational speed, so that the system 100 can be operated more stably. In some configuration, two flywheels may be provided on both end of the rear or front axle. The braking mechanism 118 may be attached with flywheel 116. The braking mechanism 118 may utilize concept of friction to stops the rotation of the flywheel 116. In some configuration, the braking mechanism 118 is a screw type mechanism includes a screw 302 and a nut 304 engaging each other. In some configuration, the nut 304 may be fixed with respect to the frame 102 and the screw 306 can move axially with respect to the nut 304 on rotation. A lever 306 may be attached to head of the screw 302 to manually rotate the screw 302 with respect to the nut 304.
[042] Referring now to FIG. 7, a side view 700 of the system 100 of FIG. 1 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 100 may further include a plurality of stabilizer legs 702 in between the pair of front mobility wheels 106A and pair of rear mobility wheels 106B. In some configuration, a pair of stabilizer legs 702 positioned on both sides of the system 100 may be used. The stabilizer legs 702 are very crucial for the system 100 as they bear most of the system’s weight, when the system 100 is operating. When the animal or human is walking on the floor provided to generate the power, the heavy weight of the system 100 would strain the mobility wheels 106 of the system 100 and causes the whole system 100 to bounce constantly due to the quivering effect. To keep the system 100 steady, the stabilizer legs 702 may be provided in order to minimize the vibration induced due to quivering effect by motion of the animal or human on the floor. The stabilizer legs 702 may act as a stand in order to restrict the movement of the system 100 while operating.
[043] It is intended that the disclosure and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of disclosed configurations being indicated by the following claims and amendments made thereto in the original application, divisional applications, continuations application, and/or foreign applications.

We claim:

1. A system (100) comprising:
a front axle (120A);
a rear axle (120B);
a frame (102) comprising:
at least one track (104);
a belt assembly (108) extending longitudinally between the front axle (120A) and the rear axle (120B), wherein the belt assembly (108) is configured to move over the front axle (120A) and the rear axle (120B), in response to a treading motion on an upper surface of the belt assembly (108), wherein the belt assembly (108) comprises:
a plurality of slats (110) interconnected to one another to create a closed loop along the length of the belt assembly (108); and
a plurality of rollers (112) positioned along a lower surface of the belt assembly (108), wherein each of the plurality of rollers (112) is attached to an associated slat of the plurality of slats (110), and wherein a set of rollers of the plurality of rollers (112) is to contact the track (104) at any point in time during movement of the belt assembly (108); and
a transmission assembly (404) configured to mechanically couple the belt assembly (108) with at least one of the front axle (120A) and the rear axle (120B), to transfer the motion of the belt assembly (108) to at least one of the front axle (120A) and the rear axle (120B).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one track (104) comprises:
a left track (104A); and
a right track (104B) positioned opposite to the left track (104A), separated by a predetermined distance.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of slats (110) comprises:
a left roller positioned near a left end of the associated slat; and
a right roller positioned near a right end of the associated slat,
wherein the left roller is configured to contact the left track (104A), and
wherein the right roller is configured to contact the right track (104B).

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
at least one flywheel (116) connected, via a shaft, to at least one of the front axle (120A) and the rear axle (120B).

5.The system (100) as claimed in claim 4 further comprising:
a gearbox (402) attached to the at least one flywheel (116),
wherein the gearbox (402) is configured to provide variation in speed of rotation.

6.The system (100) as claimed in claim 4 further comprising:
a braking mechanism (118) associated with each of the at least one flywheel (116) to resist rotation of the flywheel (116) by applying a braking force.

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the front axle (120A) and the rear axle (120B) is rotated based on an input energy received from at least one of a plurality of sources, and wherein the plurality of sources comprises:
the treading motion over the belt assembly (108),
wind power,
solar power,
hydraulic power, or
gravity force.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the left track (104A) and the right track (104B) comprises a groove configured to allow each of the plurality of rollers (112) engage with the groove.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the plurality rollers (112) comprises a clamp (114) configured to be attached on the associated slat of the plurality of slats (110), wherein the clamp (114) is further configured to be attached to at least two wheels, and wherein each of the at least two wheels is configured to engage with the groove.

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a pair of front mobility wheels (106A) coupled with the frame (102); and
a pair of rear mobility wheels (106B) coupled with the frame (102),
wherein one of the pair of front mobility wheels (106A) and the pair of rear mobility wheels (106B) is selectively coupled to at least one of the front axle (120A) and the rear axle (120B) to cause movement of the system (100).

11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a steering rod (502) connected with one of the pair of front mobility wheels (106A) and the pair of rear mobility wheels (106B), for changing a direction of the system (100).

12. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission assembly (404) comprises one of:
a belt; and
at least one pulley;
wherein the belt is attached to the lower surface of the belt assembly (108),
and wherein the at least one pulley is coupled to one of the front axle (120A) and the rear axle (120B); and
a chain; and
at least one sprocket;
wherein the chain is attached to the lower surface of the belt assembly (108),
and wherein the at least one sprocket is coupled to one of the front axle (120A) and the rear axle (120B).