Miniature Electric Generator for Wheelchair Power

轮椅用微型发电机

• 批准号: 7160632
• 负责人: Daniel Scott Marshall
• 金额: $ 10万
• 依托单位: CUBE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-09-01 至 2007-02-28
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/7160632
• 关键词: aging; assistive device /technology; bioengineering /biomedical engineering; biomedical device power system; biomedical equipment development; biotechnology; decubitus ulcer; energy source; environmental protection; ergonomics; ethanol; medical rehabilitation related tag; miniature biomedical equipment; person with disability; quality of life; thermostability; water; aging; assistive device /technology; bioengineering /biomedical engineering; biomedical device power system; biomedical equipment development; biotechnology; decubitus ulcer; energy source; environmental protection; ergonomics; ethanol; medical rehabilitation related tag; miniature biomedical equipment; person with disability; quality of life; thermostability; water

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Power wheelchairs are the primary means of mobility for a growing number of Americans. Whether from spinal cord injury, musculoskeletal disease, diabetes, or aging baby boomers, power wheelchair usage is increasing at almost 7% per year [16]. The most significant shortcoming of these chairs is the limited capacity of the lead acid (gel cell, or AGM) batteries they use. Other battery technologies are considered too delicate for the rigors of wheelchair use and are quite expensive. The goal of this project is to create an on-board, miniature power generator for electric wheelchairs to increase battery lifetime, extend their range, and provide additional power for new and existing auxiliary devices. This generator will rely on the recent developments in thermal [5-12] and radiant energy conversion technologies [3, 4] and the breakthrough efficiency of CUBE Technology is recuperated heat source capable of operating on a safe, renewable fuel; a non-flammable mixture of water and ethyl alcohol (ethanol, or drinking alcohol). This generator will be quiet, efficient, and produce less heat and CO2 than two additional people in the room with the wheelchair occupant. Current batteries for wheelchairs are barely adequate for the mobility needs of most occupants, requiring that they often adjust their expectations for daily mobility. In addition, the power profile of wheelchairs puts such strain on the batteries that they must be replaced every 18-24 months at considerable cost ($500-800) and environmental impact. This leaves no overhead power for auxiliary devices such as computers for chair control stability and air pumps for breathing assistance. This shortcoming is particularly acute in the latter half of battery life. Pressure sores are potentially lethal and are considered 1 of the most costly complications in spinal cord injury patients [1]. New technologies designed to reduce the incidence of pressure sores, such as active pressure point adjustment, in-chair massage, and temperature monitoring and control are very power-intensive and only compound the power drain on these over-worked batteries. In-chair rehabilitation through passive motion and other techniques is possible, but again, consumes considerable power, making it impractical for today's wheelchairs. In addition to the physiological benefits, the psychological benefits from nearly unlimited mobility should also be considered. Alcohol fuel has almost 100 times the energy of wheelchair batteries giving our generator system the potential to double battery life and to provide ample power for increased range, as well as for current and emerging auxiliary system for sore prevention, rehabilitation, and comfort. This project will increase the available power for electric wheelchairs enabling in-chair rehabilitation and active pressure sore prevention, thus accelerating the healing process and reducing the incidence of pressure sores. Pressure sores in deep muscles are potentially fatal and are considered 1 of the most costly complications in spinal cord injury patients. [1]

描述（由申请人提供）：电动轮椅是越来越多的美国人的主要手段。无论是由于脊髓损伤，肌肉骨骼疾病，糖尿病还是衰老的婴儿潮一代，动力轮椅的使用量每年近7％增加[16]。这些椅子最重要的缺点是它们使用的铅酸（凝胶电池或AGM）电池的容量有限。其他电池技术被认为太细腻了，无法使用轮椅使用，而且非常昂贵。该项目的目的是为电动轮椅创建一个机上的微型发电机，以增加电池寿命，扩大其范围，并为新的和现有的辅助设备提供额外的电源。该发电机将依靠热[5-12]和辐射能量转换技术的最新发展[3，4]，并且立方技术的突破性效率是能够在安全，可再生燃料上运行的恢复热源；水和乙醇（乙醇或饮酒）的不可粘性混合物。该发电机将保持安静，高效，并且与轮椅乘员在房间里的另外两个人相比，产生的热量和二氧化碳会少。当前的轮椅电池几乎不足以满足大多数乘员的移动性需求，要求他们经常调整对日常活动的期望。此外，轮椅的功率概况使电池有压力，必须以相当大的成本（500-800美元）和环境影响更换一次每18-24个月更换一次。对于辅助设备（例如用于椅子控制稳定性的计算机）和空气泵的辅助设备，这不会留下高架功率。在电池寿命的后半部分，这种缺点尤为严重。压疮可能是致命的，被认为是脊髓损伤患者最昂贵的并发症中的1 [1]。旨在减少压力疮的发生率的新技术，例如主动压力点调节，椅子式按摩以及温度监测和控制是非常强度的，并且仅使这些过度锻炼的电池对电源耗尽。通过被动运动和其他技术是可能的，但再次消耗了相当大的功能，使其对当今的轮椅来说是不切实际的。除了生理益处外，还应考虑几乎无限流动性带来的心理益处。酒精燃料的能量是轮椅电池的近100倍，使我们的发电机系统具有将电池寿命加倍并为增加范围提供充足的功率的潜力，以及用于预防酸痛，康复和舒适的当前和新兴辅助系统。该项目将增加电动轮椅的可用功率，从而实现椅子内康复和预防疼痛，从而加速了愈合过程并减少了压力疮的发生率。深肌中的压疮可能是致命的，被认为是脊髓损伤患者最昂贵的并发症之一。 [1]