Power regulation system for energy harvesters
First Claim
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1. A wireless node comprising:
- a sensor configured to generate information indicative of at least one parameter;
a wireless transmitter coupled to the sensor and configured to wirelessly transmit the information indicative of the at least one parameter;
a plurality of energy harvesters including a first energy harvester;
a first regulator coupled to the first energy harvester and configured to receive power from the first energy harvester; and
a second regulator coupled to the plurality of energy harvesters and the first regulator, the second regulator being configured to selectively receive power from the first regulator and at least one of the plurality of energy harvesters and provide power to the wireless transmitter.
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Abstract
According to some aspects, a power regulation system for energy harvesters that lacks a battery is provided. In some embodiments, the power regulation system may receive power from multiple energy harvesters that generate energy from different sources, such as wind currents and ambient light. In these embodiments, the power regulation system may selectively provide power from one or more of the energy harvesters to a load as environmental conditions change and power itself with energy from the energy harvesters. Thereby, the power regulation system may start and operate without a battery and provide power to the load over a wider range of environmental conditions.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wireless node comprising:
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a sensor configured to generate information indicative of at least one parameter; a wireless transmitter coupled to the sensor and configured to wirelessly transmit the information indicative of the at least one parameter; a plurality of energy harvesters including a first energy harvester; a first regulator coupled to the first energy harvester and configured to receive power from the first energy harvester; and a second regulator coupled to the plurality of energy harvesters and the first regulator, the second regulator being configured to selectively receive power from the first regulator and at least one of the plurality of energy harvesters and provide power to the wireless transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A power regulator system comprising:
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a plurality of power ports configured to couple to a plurality of energy harvesters, the plurality of power ports including a first power port configured to couple to a first energy harvester of the plurality of energy harvesters; a first regulator coupled to the first power port and configured to receive power from the first energy harvester; and a second regulator coupled to the first regulator and the plurality of power ports, the second regulator being configured to selectively receive power from the first regulator and at least one of the plurality of energy harvesters and provide power to a load. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of operating a wireless node comprising:
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receiving power from a first energy harvester of a plurality of energy harvesters; providing, by a first regulator, the power from the first energy harvester to a controller via a second regulator; measuring an output power of each of the plurality of energy harvesters; identifying, by the controller, an energy harvester from the plurality of energy harvesters to power the controller based on the output power of each of the plurality of energy harvesters; and controlling, by the controller, a plurality of switches to couple the identified energy harvester to the second regulator and decouple a remainder of the energy harvesters from the second regulator. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification