BACKGROUND

[0001] A cycle provides a supplemental transportation option for consumers to suit needs that automobiles may not optimally provide. For example, a two-wheel cycle (i.e., a bicycle) may be used on smaller roads that larger passenger vehicles cannot easily use. Furthermore, cycles can reduce cost, pollution, and congestion in cities.

[0002] The cycle can use a brake that applies friction between a brake pad and a wheel, slowing the wheel to a stop. The friction dissipates motion of the cycle into heat, which may be lost. An operator of the cycle then inputs energy to return the cycle to motion, requiring additional exertion from the operator. There remains an opportunity to design mechanical cycles that can utilize energy lost to braking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Figure 1A is a side view of a cycle.

[0004] Figure IB is a view of a frame of the cycle including an accelerator lever and a brake lever.

[0005] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cycle illustrating a valve assembly.

[0006] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the cycle with the valve assembly in a standard configuration.

[0007] Figure 4 is a block diagram of the cycle with the valve assembly in a brake configuration.

[0008] Figure 5 is a block diagram of the cycle with the valve assembly in a hard brake configuration.

[0009] Figure 6 is a block diagram of the cycle with the valve assembly in an acceleration configuration.

[0010] Figure 7 is a view of an interior of a compressor.

[0011] Figure 8 is a side view of a hub of the cycle.

[0012] Figure 9A is a perspective view of the hub illustrating a toothed ratchet engaging a toothed spacer. [0013] Figure 9B is a perspective view of the hub illustrating the toothed ratchet disengaging from the toothed spacer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a cycle 20 includes a frame 22, a storage chamber 24, and a compressor 26. The cycle 20 includes a valve assembly 28 including a compressor valve 30, a throttle valve 32, and a chamber valve 34. The throttle valve 32 includes a first port 32a, a second port 32b, a third port 32c connectable to the first port 32a, and a fourth port 32d connectable to the second port 32b. The compressor valve 30 is between the compressor 26 and the first port 32a and between the compressor 26 and the second port 32b. The chamber valve 34 is between the storage chamber 24 and the third port 32c and the storage chamber 24 and the fourth port 32d.

[0015] The valve assembly 28 allows for acceleration of the cycle 20 using energy stored from braking the cycle 20, i.e., regenerative braking. When the operator brakes the cycle 20, the valve assembly 28 moves a fluid, e.g., air from outside of the cycle 20, through the compressor 26, compressing the fluid into the storage chamber 24. The compression of the fluid slows rotation of the compressor 26, slowing the cycle 20 to a stop. When the operator wants to accelerate the cycle 20 after braking, the operator releases the compressed fluid from the storage chamber 24 and the valve assembly 28 moves the fluid from the storage chamber 24 to the compressor 26, rotating the compressor 26 and propelling the cycle 20. By using the energy from braking to propel the cycle 20, the cycle 20 may move with little to no input from the operator. The operator may use the propulsion from the stored fluid to accelerate from the stop and to move the cycle 20 along a rising incline.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1A-2, the cycle 20 includes the frame 22. The frame 22 supports the valve assembly 28, a hub 36, at least one wheel 38, a brake lever 40, and an accelerator lever 42. As shown in Figure 1A, the frame 22 includes the storage chamber 24 disposed within. The storage chamber 24 of the frame 22 has a fluid-tight construction. The storage chamber 24 may be constructed to allow a compressed fluid stored within, e.g., compressed air, without substantial leaking. As shown in Figures 3-6, the storage chamber 24 includes a chamber inlet 24a and a chamber outlet 24b. The chamber inlet 24a allows the fluid to enter the storage chamber 24, and the chamber outlet 24b allows the fluid to leave the storage chamber 24. If one of the chamber inlet 24a and the chamber outlet 24b is disconnected, the chamber can increase or decrease in pressure. For example, if the chamber outlet 24b is closed and the chamber inlet 24a is open, air may compress in the storage chamber 24, increasing the pressure inside the storage chamber 24. In another example, if the chamber inlet 24a is closed and the chamber outlet 24b is open, air may leave the storage chamber 24, decreasing the pressure inside the storage chamber 24.

[0017] As shown in Figure IB, the cycle 20 may include the brake lever 40 and a grip 44. The brake lever 40 may be pivotally connected to the frame 22. The grip 44 may be fixed to the frame 22. The grip 44 may include a textured surface to allow a hand of the operator to grasp the grip 44. The brake lever 40 may be connected to the throttle valve 32 and to the chamber valve 34 with a brake cable 46, as shown in Figures 1A-2, e.g. a Bowden cable. The operator may pull the brake lever 40 toward the grip 44 to actuate the throttle valve and move air through the compressor 26 to the storage chamber 24, slowing rotation of the compressor 26 and braking the cycle 20. Alternatively, the brake lever 40 may be connected to the throttle valve 32 in any suitable way, for example, wired or wireless electronic communication to electronically actuate the throttle valve 32.

[0018] As shown in Figure IB, the cycle 20 may include the accelerator lever 42 and a grip 48. The accelerator lever 42 may be pivotally attached to the frame 22. The grip 48 may be rotatably attached to the frame 22. The grip 48 may include a textured surface to allow another hand of the operator to grasp the grip 48. The accelerator lever 42 may be connected to the compressor valve 30, the throttle valve 32, and the chamber valve 34 with an accelerator cable 50, as shown in Figures 1A-2, e.g., a Bowden cable. The operator may pull the accelerator lever 42 toward the grip 48, tightening the accelerator cable 50 and actuating the compressor valve 30, the throttle valve 32, and the chamber valve 34 as shown in Figure 6. The compressed air then moves from the storage chamber 24 through the compressor 26, rotating the compressor 26 and accelerating the cycle 20.

[0019] As set forth above, the cycle 20 may include at least one wheel 38, as shown in Figure 1A. The wheel 38 may be rotatably attached to the frame 22. Figure 1A shows two wheels 38, i.e., the cycle 20 of Figure 1 is a bicycle. The cycle 20 may include a different number of wheels 38, e.g., one wheel 38 (a unicycle), three wheels 38 (a tricycle), four wheels 38 (a quadricycle), etc. [0020] As shown in Figures 1A-7, the cycle 20 includes the compressor 26. The compressor 26 is attached to the frame 22, as shown in Figure 2. The compressor 26 compresses air into the storage chamber 24. The compressor 26 may be a vane compressor, as shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figures 3-7, the compressor 26 includes a compressor outlet 26a and a compressor inlet 26b. The compressor 26 may include a shaft 52 rotatable about an axis A and a rotor 54 fixed to the shaft 52. The compressor 26 may include a compression chamber 58 and a plurality of vanes 60 attached to the rotor 54 with a plurality of springs 62. The springs 62 allow the vanes 60 to move away from the rotor 54 and contact an edge 58a of the compression chamber 58, compressing the air in front of the vanes 60 and preventing the air from flowing past the vanes 60. The compression chamber 58 may be constructed in a shape to allow the vanes 60 to compress the air, e.g., an ellipse, a circle, etc. Figure 7 shows two compressor inlets 26b and two compressor outlets 26a connected to the compression chamber 58, and the compressor 26 may have a different number of compressor inlets 26b and compressor outlets 26a.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the cycle 20 may include a sprocket 64. The sprocket 64 may be fixed to the shaft 52 and may rotate about the axis A. The sprocket 64 may engage a chain 66. The chain 66 may transfer rotational motion of the sprocket 64 to rotational motion of the wheel 38. As further described below, the cycle 20 may include a plurality of pedals 68, as shown in Figures 1 and 8, and the chain 66 may transfer rotational motion of the pedals 68 to rotation of the wheel 38. As the compressed air from the storage chamber 24 enters the compressor 26 and rotates the shaft 52, the sprocket 64 rotates and moves the chain 66, causing rotation of the wheel 38 and propelling the cycle 20. Thus, when the compressed air moves from the storage chamber 24 to the compressor 26, the cycle 20 may propel forward without input from the pedals 68.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1A and 3-6, the cycle 20 may include a poppet valve 70. The poppet valve 70 may be disposed on the frame 22 in fluid communication with the storage chamber 24. The operator may connect the poppet valve 70 to a fluid source, e.g., an air pump, to compress air into the storage chamber 24. That is, the storage chamber 24 may be filled with compressed air from the fluid source rather than from the compressor 26. Furthermore, when the storage chamber 24 stores compressed air, the operator may connect the poppet valve 70 to a tire 72 on the wheel 38 to move the compressed air from the storage chamber 24 to inflate the tire 72.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1A and 3-6, the cycle 20 may include a pressure gauge 74. The pressure gauge 74 may be attached to the frame 22 and in fluid communication with the storage chamber 24. The pressure gauge 74 may measure the pressure in the storage chamber 24 and display a pressure reading of the pressure. The pressure gauge 74 may be disposed on the frame 22 to show the pressure reading to the operator. The pressure gauge 74 may be of any suitable type, e.g., an analog gauge, a digital gauge, etc.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1A-6, the cycle 20 includes the valve assembly 28. The valve assembly 28 is disposed between the storage chamber 24 and the compressor 26. The valve assembly 28 includes the compressor valve 30, the throttle valve 32, and the chamber valve 34, collectively, valves 30, 32, 34. As described below, the valve assembly 28 may have a plurality of configurations in which selected valves 30, 32, 34 of the valve assembly 28 are opened and closed, allowing the air to selectively move from the compressor 26 to the storage chamber 24 and from the storage chamber 24 to the compressor 26.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3-6, the valve assembly 28 includes the compressor valve 30. The compressor valve 30 is disposed between the compressor 26 and the throttle valve 32. The compressor valve 30 includes a first compressor valve port 30a, a second compressor valve port 30b, a third compressor valve port 30c connectable to the first compressor valve port 30a, and a fourth compressor valve port 30d connectable to the second compressor valve port 30b. The first compressor valve port 30a is connectable to the compressor outlet 26a to receive air compressed by the compressor 26. The second compressor valve port 30b is connectable to the compressor inlet 26b to send air to the compressor 26. The compressor valve 30 includes an intake port 30e connected to an intake 76 that receives air from the exterior of the cycle 20 and an exhaust port 30f connected to an exhaust 78 that expels air to the exterior of the cycle 20. The intake port 30e is connectable to the second compressor valve port 30b. The exhaust port 30f is connectable to the first compressor valve port 30a. The compressor valve 30 may be connected to the accelerator cable 50. The compressor valve 30 may be a 6/2 valve, i.e., a valve having 6 ports and 2 positions defining which, if any, of the 6 ports are connected or disconnected.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3-6, the valve assembly 28 includes the throttle valve 32. The throttle valve 32 includes the first port 32a, the second port 32b, the third port 32c, and the fourth port 32d. The third port 32c is connectable to the first port 32a, and the fourth port 32d is connectable to the second port 32b. Furthermore, the first port 32a may be connectable to the second port 32b. [0027] The first port 32a may be connectable to the third port 32c such that the first port 32a is fully connected to the third port 32c, disconnected from the third port 32c, or partially connected to the third port 32c. That is, the connection between the first port 32a and the third port 32c may be selectively connected such that the throttle valve 32 is movable from a closed position to an open position and to an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position. In the open position, the first port 32a is fully connected to the third port 32c. In the closed position, the first port 32a is disconnected from the third port 32c. In the intermediate position, the connection between the first port 32a and the third port 32c is partially obstructed such that the flow of air between the first port 32a and the third port 32c is less than the flow of air in the open position, i.e., the flow of air is throttled. The intermediate position allows the operator to selectively allow air flow from the compressor 26 to the storage chamber 24 to selectively brake the cycle 20. That is, when the throttle valve 32 in the intermediate position, the cycle 20 decelerates more slowly than when the throttle valve 32 is in the closed position. The throttle valve 32 may be connected to the brake cable 46 and to the accelerator cable 50, each of which may move the throttle valve 32 to one of the open position, the intermediate position, and the closed position.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3-6, the valve assembly 28 includes the chamber valve 34. The chamber valve 34 is disposed between the storage chamber 24 and the throttle valve 32. The chamber valve 34 includes a first chamber valve port 34a, a second chamber valve port 34b, a third chamber valve port 34c connectable to the first chamber valve port 34a, and a fourth chamber valve port 34d connectable to the second chamber valve port 34b, collectively, the chamber valve ports 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d. The third chamber valve port 34c is connectable to the chamber inlet 24a, and the fourth chamber valve port 34d is connectable to the chamber outlet 24b. Depending on the connections between the chamber valve ports 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, the chamber valve 34 may be arranged to move air to or from the storage chamber 24. The chamber valve 34 may be a 4/2 valve, i.e., a valve having 4 ports and 2 positions defining which, if any, of the 4 ports are connected or disconnected.

[0029] As described above, the valve assembly 28 has a plurality of configurations that selectively move air through the valves 30, 32, 34, to the compressor 26, and to the storage chamber 24. Figure 3 shows a standard configuration of the valve assembly for manual operation of the cycle. In the standard configuration, the first compressor valve port 30a is connected to both the compressor outlet 26a and the third compressor valve port 30c, the second compressor valve port 30b is connected to both the compressor inlet 26b and the fourth compressor valve port 30d, and the first port 32a is connected to the second port 32b. Thus, when the operator moves the pedals 68, which rotates the sprocket 64 and the compressor 26, the compressor 26 moves air around a closed loop formed by the compressor 26, the compressor valve 30, and the throttle valve 32. Because the throttle valve 32 is disconnected from the chamber valve 34, the compressor 26 does not move air into the storage chamber 24.

[0030] The valve assembly 28 may have a brake configuration, as shown in Figure 4. The brake configuration allows the compressor 26 to compress air into the storage chamber 24, slowing the cycle 20. In the brake configuration, the intake port 30e is connected to the second compressor valve port 30b, which is connected to the compressor inlet 26b, and the vanes 60 create a vacuum in the compression chamber 58 as the vanes 60 rotate, drawing air from the intake 76 through the compressor inlet 26b into the compression chamber 58. As the vanes 60 compress the air into the compressor outlet 26a and the storage chamber 24, the rotation of the rotor 54 slows, slowing the rotation of the shaft 52. Thus, slowing of the rotation of the shaft 52 slows rotation of the sprocket 64, which slows movement of the chain 66 and the wheel 38, braking the cycle 20. To move the valve assembly 28 to the brake configuration, the brake lever 40 actuates the brake cable 46 to move the throttle valve 32.

[0031] The compressor outlet 26a is connected to the first compressor valve port 30a to move the compressed air from the compressor 26 to the compressor valve 30. The third compressor valve port 30c is connected to the first compressor valve port 30a, and the third compressor valve port 30c is connected to the first port 32a to move the compressed air from the compressor 26 to the throttle valve 32.

[0032] In the brake configuration, the first port is fluidly connected to the third port, allowing air to flow through the throttle valve from the compressor. Depending on how hard the operator actuates the brake lever, the operator may move the throttle valve from the open position to the intermediate position and to the closed position.

[0033] Furthermore, in the brake configuration, the first chamber valve port 34a is fluidly connected to the third chamber valve port 34c, and the second chamber valve port 34b is disconnected from the fourth chamber valve port 34d. Thus, when the valve assembly 28 is in the brake configuration, the air entering the chamber valve 34 can only enter the storage chamber 24, causing the air to compress in the storage chamber 24 and the pressure inside the storage chamber 24 to increase.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, the valve assembly 28 may have a hard brake configuration. The hard brake configuration allows the operator to stop the cycle 20 quickly by moving the chamber valve 34 to move the compressed air from the storage chamber 24 to stop the compressor 26. The operator moves the valve assembly 28 into the hard brake configuration by pulling the brake lever 40 against the grip 44, which pulls the brake cable 46 and moves the chamber valve 34. In the hard brake configuration, the first chamber valve port 34a is disconnected from the third chamber valve port 34c, and the second chamber valve port 34b is fluidly connected to the fourth chamber valve port 34d. Furthermore, the second port 32b is fluidly connected to the fourth port 32d, and the second compressor valve port 30b is fluidly connected to the fourth compressor valve port 30d.

[0035] Thus, in the hard brake configuration, the compressed air moving from the compressor 26 is stopped at the disconnection between the first chamber valve port 34a and the third chamber valve port 34c, pressurizing the connections within the valves 30, 32, 34 until the pressure in the compression chamber 58 rises and resists the movement of the vanes 60 and stops rotation of the shaft 52, stopping the cycle 20. Furthermore, because the chamber outlet 24b is fluidly connected to the compressor inlet 26b, pressurized air from the storage chamber 24 moves into the compression chamber 58. The disconnection between the first chamber valve port 34a and the third chamber valve port 34c and the pressurized air from the storage chamber 24 produce a substantially equal air pressure in the compression chamber 58 between the compressor inlet 26b and the compressor outlet 26a, preventing movement of the vanes 60 and locking the compressor 26.

[0036] The valve assembly 28 may have an acceleration configuration. The acceleration configuration allows the valve assembly 28 to move air from the storage chamber 24 to the compressor 26, rotating the compressor 26 and the sprocket 64 to propel the cycle. The operator moves the valve assembly 28 into the acceleration configuration by pulling the accelerator lever 42 toward the grip 48 and rotating the accelerator lever 42 and the grip 48 toward the operator, pulling the accelerator cable 50 and moving the compressor valve 30, the chamber valve 34, and the throttle valve 32. In the acceleration configuration, the first chamber valve port 34a is disconnected from the third chamber valve port 34c, the second chamber valve port 34b is connected to the fourth chamber valve port 34d, the second port 32b is connected to the fourth port 32d, the second compressor valve port 30b is connected to the fourth compressor valve port 30d, and the first compressor valve port 30a is connected to the exhaust port 30f . That is, the compressed air flows from the storage chamber 24 through the chamber valve 34, the throttle valve 32, and the compressor valve 30 to the compression chamber 58, where the pressure of the air moving through the compressor inlet 26b is higher than the pressure of the air in the compressor outlet 26a. The higher pressure air moving through the compressor inlet 26b rotate the vanes 60, the rotor 54, and the shaft 52, exiting through compressor outlet 26a and the exhaust 78. The rotating shaft 52 rotates the sprocket 64, moving the chain 66 and the wheel 38.

[0037] As shown in Figures 3-6, the cycle may include at least one pressure regulator 80. The pressure regulators 80 may restrict fluid flow from the third chamber valve port 34c to the chamber inlet 24a and from the chamber outlet 24b to the fourth chamber valve port 34d. The pressure regulators 80 may be designed to allow the air to flow at a predetermined maximum pressure, above which the pressure regulators 80 restrict the air flow. The pressure regulators 80 may restrict the air flow to reduce strain on storage chamber 24 and the chamber valve 34.

[0038] As shown in Figures 3-6, the cycle may include a pressure relief valve 82. The pressure relief valve 82 may be fluidly connected to the exterior of the cycle 20. The pressure relief valve 82 may release air when the pressure in the storage chamber 24 exceeds a pressure threshold. The pressure relief valve 82 allows the storage chamber 24 to release excess air to the atmosphere to maintain the pressure in the storage chamber 24 below the pressure threshold, reducing strain on the storage chamber 24 and the pressure regulators 80.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1A-2 and 8-9B, the cycle 20 may include the hub 36 attached to the frame 22. The hub 36 includes the plurality of pedals 68, a plurality of links 84, and a crankshaft 86 connected to the hub 36, each one of the links 84 connecting one of the pedals 84 to the crankshaft 86. The hub 86 includes hub teeth 88 engaged with the chain 66, as shown in Figure 2. The hub 36 transfers rotational motion of the pedals 68 into movement of the chain 66, which moves the wheel 66 to propel the cycle 20.

[0040] The hub 36 includes a toothed ratchet 90, as shown in Figures 9A-9B. The toothed ratchet 90 may include a plurality of ratchet teeth 92. The toothed ratchet 90 may be slidably engaged with a toothed spacer 94. The toothed spacer 94 may include a plurality of spacer teeth 96. The toothed spacer 94 may be attached to a spring 98. The ratchet teeth 92 may be engaged with the spacer teeth 96 so that rotation of the toothed spacer 94 pushes against the toothed ratchet 90, but the toothed ratchet 90 may rotate and slip past the toothed spacer 94, forming a gap between the ratchet teeth 92 and the spacer teeth 94 as shown in Figure 9B.

[0041] For example, when the valve assembly 28 is in the acceleration configuration, the sprocket 64 moves the chain 66 and thus rotates the hub 36 without input from the pedals 68. Because the hub 36 rotates faster than the pedals 68, the ratchet teeth 92 slide along the spacer teeth 96, compressing the toothed spacer 94 against the spring 98 and allowing the toothed ratchet 90 to rotate without input from the toothed spacer 94, as shown in Figure 9B. When the storage chamber 24 no longer has pressurized air, the hub 36 stops rotating and the spring 98 decompresses, pressing the toothed spacer 94 against the toothed ratchet 90 and engaging the spacer teeth 98 with the ratchet teeth 92, as shown in Figure 9A, and allowing rotation of the pedals 68 to move the toothed ratchet 90. Thus, when the cycle 20 accelerates with the air stored in the storage chamber 24, the hub 36 may rotate without causing rotation of the pedals 36.

[0042] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.