PCT WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION © Tnrmaional Butea INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (i International Patent Classification 6: (11) Taternational Publication Number: WO 99/38247 HO2M 3/185 AL ee (43) International Publication Date: 29 July 1999 (29.0798) {@1) International Application Number: PCTIIE98/00005 | (81) Designated States: AL, AM, AT. AT (Utlly model), AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, Ca, CH, CN, CU, CZ, CZ (Lily (22) International Filing Date: 22. January 1999 (22.01.99) model), DE, DE (Utility model), DK, DK (Utility mode), EE, EE (Utility model), ES, Fl, i Utility model), GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, TL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, (0) Priority Data: KR, KZ, LC,'LK, LR, 1S, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG,'MK, 98100541 22 January 1998 (22.01.98) ZA MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, 091084,566 26 May 1998 (26.05.98) us SK, SK (Utility model), SL, 1, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, US, 9sio0s4i 26 Tune 1998 (26.06.98) ZA UZ, VN, YU, ZW, ARIPO patent (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SZ, UG, ZW), Eurasian patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), European patent (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE (71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): ASHBY, DK, ES, Fl, FR, GB, GR, TE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), ‘Kevin, Peter [IE/ZA]; 30 Batavia Street, Somerset West OAPI patent (BE, BI, CF, CG, Cl, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, | 7130 (ZA). MR, NE, SN, TD, TG). (72) Inventor; and (75) Inventor/Applicant (for US only): AINSLIE, Rosemary, Ann [ZAIZAl; 10 Springer Close, Marina da Gama, Muizenberg, ‘With international search report Wester Cape (ZA). (74) Agents: SHORTT, Peter, Bernard et al.; Tomkins & Co. 5 ‘Dartmouth Road, Dublin 6 (IE). 2 = ee ‘A method of achieving high efficiency of energy usage includes passing current through an inductor, causing the curent to be repeatedly interupted, thereby generating a back emf inthe inductor and thereafter harnessing the back emf so generated to supply energy fo an energy receiving or processing device. ‘The frequency of interruptions should be 40 Hz or more and is achievable by applying rectifying means tothe curtent. The invention extends to apparatus for hamessing such back-emf and energy generating means comprising fn inductor and current interuption means connectable to an energy receiving device. (67) AbstractFOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY ‘Codes used to identity tates party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international applications under the PCT. AL Ata ES Spain 1s Leto St Soveia AM Amen HM Fland UT Uihania SK Slomaia AT Acti FR Pree Lu Latenboure SN Senegal AU Awa GA Gate Laws St Swain ‘etiam GB United Kingdom MC Monaco 1 Cha BomiaanéWeregovia «GE Geotgit MD Repulc of Moldova 3G Togo GH Gras MG Malapscar 1 Tajkison GN Guia MK The former Yuposay T™ Tuknenbtan GR Gene Republi of Macedonia TR Tukey MU ingay ML Mal ‘TE Tila and Tobago sind MN Mongotie UA Unie tame MR Martie UG Ugins 18 era MW Malin US United Stes of America 7 tly MX Mexico Ue Unetinan (Cental Aten Repubic JP apn NE Niger WN Vit Nam Coego KE Keays NU Nefrands wo ‘wizard KG Kyrayaun NO Norway aw Ce doi KP Deneertie People's NZ New Zeatand ‘Camesoon Repub of Kea PL Pols Cin KR Repl of Koes PT Poragal one KZ amlane RO Romania (Coach Repu Le Sse tain RU Rutan Fern ‘Gemany Listenin SD Sedan Demat 1k Sitants SE Swoden ronia Rite SG Singapore10 Wo 9938247 PCTIIE99/00005, HARNESSING ABACK EM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method of hamessing back-emf for use in powering a load or replenishing a depletable energy source and extends to apparatus used in performing the method. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional switching circuits are well known in clectrical energy conversion technology and switch mode systems have been employed to enhance energy utilization efficiencies. The concept of absorbing electrical energy released by the collapse of autoelectronic emissions from a discharge tube is disclosed in US5449989. This document discloses a circuit that includes an output port connected to a current sink, which is effective to absorb at least a substantial portion of such emissions. The current sink may be an electric motor or a secondary battery. The concept of applying a back-emf in electrical circuitry is also known. For example, in US 5 521 476 is disclosed a control circuit for a disk drive motor