Navy Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I

Power Generating Backpack

The purpose of the Power Generating Backpack is to allow soldiers to generate electricity while walking. This backpack represents an alternative to bulky battery systems soldiers often carry on the battlefield. The adoption of this backpack will result in a lighter load, thus improved comfort and mobility for combat units. The design APECOR is proposing will be transparent and of minimal impact to the user, so as to not disrupt the normal use of a backpack. Current state-of-the art employs a one dimensional technique to translate human motion to vertical load motion to generate electricity. APECOR is proposing to investigate the feasibility of a two or multi-dimensional approach to power generation. In the two-dimensional approach, the load will be suspended inside the backpack by vertical and horizontal axes, while in the multidimensional approach we will take advantage of the load's mass (50Ibs) to implement a pneumatic (pressurized cushions) system. During the walking process, the load will bounce against pressurized cushions strategically placed inside the backpack to produce enough displacement for a linear or motor generator to induce electricity.

The power generating backpack will find applications in military and recreational markets. This backpack will essentially be useful not only to soldiers, but also to climbers and hikers, who venture in remote locations. The introduction of the motion based power generating backpack will add versatility to existing backpacks since they could be used in any conditions, not just on sunny days. The added benefit is that the system will reduce the stresses of walking with a load on the user.