Apparatus and method for generating electrical energy from motion

• US 20040222637A1
• Filed: 05/03/2004
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Power Estimate Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Power Estimate Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Bednyak, Vladimir
• Granted Patent: US 7,105,939 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/1R
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/00 Electric propulsion with power supply from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 3/04 from power plant other than propulsion power plant
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/20 wherein both members , i.e. wom and rem are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1892 Generators with parts oscillating or vibrating about an axis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing electrical energy to an electrical device by deriving the electrical energy from motion of the device. In one embodiment, the inventive apparatus includes a novel kinetic electrical power generator (KEPG) consisting of an inventive oscillating weight having an internal cavity with a freely movable acceleration element disposed therein, resulting in improved acceleration and oscillation capabilities and lower motion threshold for the weight, a system for converting the weight'"'"'s oscillating motion into rotational motion, and an electromechanical transducer system for generating electrical energy from the rotational motion. The novel KEPG includes components for modifying the electrical energy for storing and/or feeding the modified electrical energy to the electrical device. Optional components may be included for using the modified electrical energy to recharge one or more rechargeable batteries used in an electric device. Alternate advantageous embodiments of the inventive apparatus include, but are not limited to: a KEPG with multiple inventive oscillating weights to increase velocity and frequency of desirable rotational motion, and a KEPG system utilizing multiple electrically coupled KEPG sub-systems.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating electrical energy from motion, comprising:

a support structure;

a pivot element, disposed within said support structure;

an oscillating weight, disposed within said support structure, having a top portion connected to said pivot element, and a bottom portion, said oscillating weight being configured and operable to achieve oscillating motion in an angular 1o range perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said pivot element, in response to motion of said support structure that exceeds a motion threshold, said pivot element being operable to produce a reciprocating radial motion thereof, in response to said oscillating motion of said oscillating weight;

means, disposed within said oscillating weight, for decreasing said motion threshold, and for increasing said angular range of said oscillating motion of said oscillating weight in response to said motion of said support structure;

motion conversion means, connected to said pivot element, for translating said reciprocating radial motion into a rotational motion of a first velocity; and

electromechanical transducer means, connected to said motion conversion means, for generating electrical energy in response to said rotational motion applied by said motion conversion means thereto.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises at least one of:

a frame, and a housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pivot element is rotably supported by a portion of said support structure.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said motion threshold is inversely proportional to a likelihood of generation of electrical energy from said motion threshold, and wherein said motion threshold is defined as an inertial disturbance applied to said support structure, said inertial disturbance comprising a plurality of inertial forces exerted on said support structure in a plurality of directions, said plural inertial forces having at least one force magnitude that causes oscillating motion of said oscillating weight sufficient to cause said pivot element to produce reciprocating radial motion, that, when translated into said rotational motion by said motion conversion means, is sufficient to cause said electromechanical transducer means to generate electrical energy in response to said rotational motion imparted thereto.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said oscillating weight comprises a first side and a second side, wherein said oscillating motion comprises repetitive movement of said oscillating weight, initially in a direction of one of said first and second sides, and then in a direction of the other of said first and second sides, and wherein said acceleration means comprises:

an internal cavity defined within said oscillating weight between said first and second sides and between said top and bottom portions, said internal cavity having a first region proximal to said first side, a second region proximal to said second side, and a central region defined between said first and second regions; and

at least one mobile acceleration element movably disposed within said cavity, said at least one mobile acceleration element being operable to decrease said motion threshold, and to increase said angular range of said oscillating motion of said oscillating weight, by freely moving within said oscillating weight, through said central region and between said first and second regions, in response to said motion of said support structure, such that a likelihood, frequency and range of said reciprocating radial motion of said pivot element is increased, thereby increasing likelihood and speed-of rotational motion.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one mobile acceleration element is sized and configured to freely move within said internal cavity of said oscillating weight, and wherein said at least one mobile acceleration element comprises at least one of:

a heavy fluid;

a mixture of a plurality of grains, each of said plural grains being composed of a first dense substance;

at least one rolling element composed of a second dense substance; and

at least one sliding element composed of a third dense substance.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said heavy fluid comprises physical properties substantially equivalent to mercury.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first, second, and third dense substances are selected from a group consisting of:

metal, glass, crystal, ceramic, and stone.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each said at least one rolling element comprises a disc.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, and wherein each said disc is sized and configured to decrease said motion threshold, and to increase said angular range of said oscillating motion of said oscillating weight.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each said at least one rolling element comprises a sphere.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, and wherein each said sphere is sized and configured to decrease said motion threshold, and to increase said angular range of said oscillating motion of said oscillating weight.

13. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each said at least one sliding element comprises a geometric shape sized and configured to freely slide within said internal cavity, to decrease said motion threshold, and to increase said angular range of said oscillating motion of said oscillating weight.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said oscillating weight further comprises an elongated connector of a first length, and having a first end and a second end, said first end of said elongated connector being connected to a center of said top portion, and said second end being connected to said pivot element.

15. The apparatus of claim 14;

wherein said first length of said elongated connector is sized to amplify said oscillating motion of said oscillating weight in response to said motion of said support structure.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises a transparent viewing region for viewing said oscillating weight, and wherein said oscillating weight comprises a first outer surface proximal to said viewing region, and wherein said oscillating weight is of a predefined geometric shape.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said predefined geometric shape is selected to achieve an aesthetically decorative appearance.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said oscillating weight further comprises at least one of:

a layer of a precious or semi-precious material covering at least a portion of said first outer surface, at least one decorative element positioned on said first outer surface, and at least one decorative design imposed on said first outer surface.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said motion conversion means comprise a gear assembly having an-input drive element and an output drive element, wherein said pivot element is connected to said input drive element and said electromechanical transducer means is connected to said output drive element, said gear assembly being operable to convert reciprocating radial motion imposed on said input drive element by said pivot element, into rotational motion at said output drive element.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electromechanical transducer means comprise:

a conductive coil with an open central region; and

a magnetized element disposed within said open central region, wherein one of said conductive coil and said magnetized element are connected to said motion conversion means, such that when said motion conversion means delivers rotational motion thereto, said resulting rotation of said conductive coil and said magnetic element with respect to one another induces electrical energy in said conductive coil.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said conductive coil comprises:

a ring having an outer surface and a central circumferential axis;

a conductive wire wound in a plurality of loops on said outer surface and around said central circumferential axis.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said magnetized element comprises a ferromagnetic rotor sized to fit within said open central region within said wire-wound ring, wherein said ring, said conductive wire, and said ferromagnetic rotor are sized, positioned, and configured to maximize said induced electrical energy during rotation of said ferromagnetic rotor and said wire-wound ring with respect to one another.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said conductive coil comprises:

a hollow tube having an outer surface, a circumferential axis, and a longitudinal central axis;

a conductive wire wound in a plurality of loops on said outer surface and around said circumferential axis.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said magnetized element comprises an elongated ferromagnetic rotor sized to fit within said open central region within said wire-wound hollow tube along said longitudinal central axis, wherein said hollow tube, said conductive wire, and said elongated ferromagnetic rotor are sized, positioned, and configured to maximize said induced electrical energy during rotation of said ferromagnetic rotor and said wire-wound hollow tube with respect to one another.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising electrical energy processing means, connected to said electromechanical transducer means, for modifying said electrical energy generated therefrom.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said electrical energy processing means comprises at least one of:

a rectification unit operable to rectify said electrical energy, and a transformer operable to convert said electrical energy to correspond to at least one predetermined parameter.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said at least one predefined parameter comprises a voltage magnitude.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a first power interface, connected to said electrical energy processing means, operable to deliver said modified electrical energy to an electrical energy consuming device.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising electrical energy storage means for storing said modified electrical energy.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a second power interface, connected to said electrical energy storage means, operable to deliver said modified electrical energy to said electrical energy consuming device, in response to said electrical energy consuming device drawing said modified electrical energy.

31. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said electrical energy processing means further comprises recharging means for converting said modified electrical energy into a format suitable for recharging at least one rechargeable battery external to said support structure, further comprising a third power interface, operable to connect said recharging means to said at least one rechargeable battery, and to deliver said converted electrical energy to recharge said at least one rechargeable battery.

32. The apparatus of claim 1,.wherein a quantity of said electrical energy generated by said electromechanical transducer means is proportional to said first velocity of said rotational motion delivered thereto.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

at least one additional pivot element;

at least one additional oscillating weight, disposed within said support structure, each having a second top portion connected to a corresponding said at least one additional pivot element, and a second bottom portion, said at least one additional oscillating weight being configured and operable to achieve oscillating motion in said angular range perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said pivot element, in response to motion of said support structure that exceeds said motion threshold, each said at least one additional pivot element being operable to produce said reciprocating radial motion thereof, in response to said oscillating motion of corresponding each said at least one additional oscillating weight;

at least one additional acceleration means, each disposed within a corresponding said at least one additional oscillating weight, for decreasing said motion threshold, and for increasing said angular range of said oscillating motion of each said at least one additional oscillating weight in response to said motion of said support structure, wherein said additional at least one pivot element is connected to said motion conversion means; and

wherein said motion conversion means comprises means for aggregating and translating said reciprocating radial motion of each of said pivot element and said at least one additional pivot element into said rotational motion, thereby increasing a velocity value of said rotational motion to a second velocity higher than said first velocity, such that said quantity of said electrical energy generated by said electromechanical transducer means is thereby increased.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said means for aggregating and translating comprises:

a combination and conversion gear assembly having a plurality of input drive elements, wherein said pivot element and each said at least one additional pivot element are connected to a corresponding plural input drive element, and having a primary output drive element, wherein said electromechanical transducer means is connected to said primary output drive element, said combination and conversion gear assembly being operable to convert reciprocating radial motion imposed on each said plural input drive element by said corresponding pivot element, and said corresponding at least one additional pivot element, into rotational motion of said second velocity at said output drive element.

35. An apparatus for generating electrical energy from motion, comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of kinetic electrical generators, disposed within said housing, each said plural kinetic electrical generator comprising;

a support structure;

a pivot element, disposed within said support structure;

an oscillating weight, disposed within said support structure, having a top portion connected to said pivot element, and a bottom portion, said oscillating weight being configured and operable to achieve oscillating motion in an angular range perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said pivot element, in response to motion of said support structure that exceeds a motion threshold, said pivot element being operable to produce a reciprocating radial motion thereof, in response to said oscillating motion of said oscillating weight;

acceleration means, disposed within said oscillating weight, for decreasing said motion threshold, and for increasing said angular range of said oscillating motion of said oscillating weight in response to said motion of said support structure;

motion conversion means, connected to said pivot element, for translating said reciprocating radial motion into a rotational motion of a first velocity;

electromechanical transducer means, connected to said motion conversion means, for generating electrical energy in response to said rotational motion applied by said motion conversion means thereto; and

electrical output means for transferring said generated electrical energy from said electromechanical transducer means; and

an electrical energy aggregation unit, connected to said electrical output means of each said plural kinetic electrical generator, operable to aggregate said electrical energy received from each said electrical output means.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein each said plural oscillating weight comprises a first side and a second side, wherein said oscillating motion comprises repetitive movement of each said plural oscillating weight, initially in a direction of one of said first and second sides, and then in a direction of the other of said first and second sides, and wherein each said plural acceleration means comprises:

an internal cavity defined within said oscillating weight between said first and second sides and between said top and bottom portions, said internal cavity having a first region proximal to said first side, a second region proximal to said second side, and a central region defined between said first and second regions; and

at least one mobile acceleration element movably disposed within said cavity, said at least one mobile acceleration element being operable to decrease said motion threshold, and, to increase said angular range of said oscillating motion of said oscillating weight, by freely moving within said oscillating weight, through said central region and between said first and second regions, in response to said motion of said support structure, such that a likelihood, frequency and range of said reciprocating radial motion of each said pivot element is increased, thereby increasing likelihood and speed of rotational motion.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising electrical energy processing means, connected to said electrical energy aggregation unit, for modifying said aggregated electrical energy.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said electrical energy processing means comprises at least one of:

a rectification unit operable to rectify said aggregated electrical energy, and a transformer operable to convert said aggregated electrical energy to correspond to at least one predetermined parameter.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a first power interface, connected to said electrical energy processing means, operable to deliver said modified aggregated electrical energy -to an electrical energy consuming device external to said housing.

40. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising electrical energy storage means for storing said modified-aggregated electrical energy.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a second power interface, connected to said electrical energy storage means, operable to deliver said modified aggregated electrical energy to an electrical energy consuming device external to said housing, in response to said electrical energy consuming device drawing said modified aggregated electrical energy.

42. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said electrical energy processing means further comprises recharging means for converting said modified aggregated electrical energy into a format suitable for recharging at least one rechargeable battery external to said housing, further comprising a third power interface, operable to connect said recharging means to said at least one rechargeable battery, and to deliver said converted electrical energy to recharge said at least one rechargeable battery.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said at least one rechargeable battery is disposed in an electrical device, external to said housing, said electrical device having a recharge coupling input and being positioned within a predetermined distance of said housing, wherein said third power interface comprises an elongated wire of a predetermined length, having a first end connected to said recharging means and a second end connected to a recharge coupling output sized and configured to releasably connect to said recharge coupling input of said electrical device, wherein when said predetermined distance is no greater than said predetermined length, said electrical device is operable to:

selectively connect to said recharging means through said third power interface to receive said converted electrical energy and to thereby recharge said at least one rechargeable battery.

44. A method for generating electrical energy from motion, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a support structure, at least one pivot element disposed within said support structure, at least one oscillating weight, disposed within said support structure, each having a top portion, connected to a corresponding said at least one pivot element, and a bottom portion,

(b) applying external motion to said support structure that exceeds a predefined motion threshold;

(c) producing, by said at least one oscillating weight, oscillating motion in an angular range perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said at least one pivot element, in response to said external motion, wherein each said at least one oscillating weight is provided with an acceleration element, disposed within each said at least one oscillating weight, operable to decrease said predefined motion threshold, and to increase said angular range of said oscillating motion of each said at least one oscillating weight, in response to said external motion;

(d) producing, by said at least one pivot element, reciprocating radial motion along said longitudinal axis thereof, in response to said oscillating motion of said at least one oscillating weight;

(e) translating, by a motion conversion unit connected to said at least one pivot element, said reciprocating radial motion into a rotational motion of a first velocity; and

(f) generating, by an electromechanical transducer connected to said motion conversion unit, electrical energy in response to said rotational motion applied by said motion conversion unit thereto.