SYSTEM FOR GENERATING ELECTRICAL ENERGY FROM AMBIENT MOTION

• US 20080174120A1
• Filed: 01/22/2008
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strategic Design Federation W, LLC
• Original Assignee: Motionetics, Inc. (Willowview Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gardner, John F., Jackson, Ronald Scott, Simmons, Layne Ellen, Yano, Steven E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,847,421 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/1C
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/08 recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1876 with reciprocating, linearly oscillating or vibrating parts
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1892 Generators with parts oscillating or vibrating about an axis

Abstract

A system for generating electrical energy from ambient motion that comprises two stages, a resonating electrical generator and a kinetic energy conversion system. The different stages have differing resonant frequencies to enable harvesting energy from low frequency ambient motion and converting it to high frequency resonant oscillation for efficiently generating electrical energy.

Claims

1. A multi-stage system for generating electrical power from motion comprising:

a primary stage comprising a resonating electrical generator to convert motion to electrical energy, the generator comprising;

a coil;

a first biasing element tuned to resonate at a first frequency; and

a first magnet generating a magnetic field, the first magnet coupled to the first biasing element and disposed in proximity to the coil such that the coil is located within the magnetic field, wherein the first biasing element enables a resonant oscillation of the first magnet, and wherein the resonant oscillation of the first magnet relative to the coil generates an electric current in the coil; and

a supplementary stage coupled to the primary stage, the supplementary stage comprising a kinetic energy conversion system to convert motion to stored potential energy, wherein the kinetic energy conversion system comprises a second biasing element to store potential energy by being forced from a resting position to a tension position, and wherein the second biasing element is tuned to resonate at a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency, and

wherein the supplementary stage periodically releases the stored potential energy to generate a resonant oscillation at the first frequency to drive the primary stage.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first biasing element comprises one of a spring, a torsion shaft, and a resilient material, wherein the biasing element can be forced to a plurality of tension positions to store potential energy by at least one of compressing, expanding, rotating, and twisting.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first magnet of the resonating electrical generator is diametrically poled and the first biasing element of the resonating electrical generator comprises a torsion shaft with a fixed end, and the resonating electrical generator further comprises a core coupled to and supporting the coil, and wherein the first magnet is coupled to the torsion shaft and configured to rotate as the torsion shaft twists in response to motion.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the resonating electrical generator further comprises an offset mass coupled to the torsion shaft, wherein the offset mass increases twisting of the torsion shaft in response to motion.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the torsion shaft of the resonating electrical generator further comprises a free end opposite the fixed end and wherein the resonating electrical generator further comprises a shaft bearing positioned to support the free end and configured to facilitate rotation of the free end as the torsion shaft moves.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first biasing element of the resonating electrical generator comprises a first cantilever shaft having a free end and a fixed end, whereby the first magnet is coupled to the free end of the first cantilever shaft.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the resonating electrical generator further comprises a core coupled to and supporting the coil.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a second cantilever shaft having a free end and a fixed end; and

a second magnet coupled to the free end of the second cantilever shaft and in proximity to the coil, the second magnet generating a second magnetic field in proximity to the coil such that the coil is located within the second magnetic field, whereby resonant oscillation of the second magnet relative to the coil generates an electric current in the coil.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the core is ring-shaped and further comprises a central cross-bar around which the coil is wrapped, wherein the core is coupled to and supports the fixed ends of the first and second cantilever shafts.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first magnet of the resonating electrical generator is diametrically poled and the first biasing element comprises a coil spring coupled to the first magnet at a central axis, and wherein the resonating electrical generator further comprises a ring-shaped core, and wherein the coil is wrapped around the ring-shaped core,

wherein the first magnet is rotatably movable within the ring-shaped core about the coil spring coupled at the central axis of the magnet, and wherein rotation of the first magnet relative to the coil generates an electric current in the coil.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the kinetic energy conversion system further comprises:

a first locked platform coupled to a first end of the first biasing element to hold the first end of the first biasing element stationary while the biasing element is forced to a tension position, the first locked platform configured to periodically be released to allow the biasing element to release the stored potential energy;

a driving mass positioned at a second end of the biasing element, the driving mass configured to move in response to motion and exert force on the second biasing element to force the biasing element to a tension position;

a ratcheting mechanism to engage the driving mass, the ratcheting mechanism configured to allow the driving mass to move in response to ambient motion and force the second biasing element from a start position to a new position, wherein the start position is a tension position or the resting position and the new position is a tension position having a greater degree of tension than the start position, and wherein the ratcheting mechanism engages the driving mass to prevent the driving mass from reversing direction and thereby stop the second biasing element from moving back to a tension position having less tension than the new position and thereby hold the second biasing element in a tension position storing potential energy.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprises a release mechanism configured to periodically release the first locked platform and allow the second biasing element to release the stored potential energy to create the resonant oscillation that drives the resonating electrical generator, and to disengage the ratcheting mechanism from the driving mass.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the first biasing element comprises a spring configured to be forced to a tension position to store potential energy by at least one of compressing, expanding, rotating, and twisting.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the ratcheting mechanism comprises a ratchet face and teeth disposed on the ratchet face, the teeth to engage the driving mass whereby the driving mass can move in one direction while the teeth prevent the driving mass from moving back in an opposing direction.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the kinetic energy conversion system further comprises:

a plurality of biasing elements in sequence with the second biasing element, configured to be sequentially forced from corresponding resting positions to corresponding tension positions having increasing degrees of tension and thereby store potential energy; and

a plurality of locked platforms coupled to the first ends of the corresponding biasing elements to hold the first ends of the plurality of biasing elements stationary while each of the plurality of biasing elements is forced to one of the corresponding tension positions, the plurality of locked platforms configured to periodically be released to allow all of the biasing elements to release the stored potential energy,

wherein the release mechanism is further configured to release all of the plurality of locked platforms substantially simultaneously.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the kinetic energy conversion system further comprises:

a first locked platform coupled to a first end of the second biasing element, wherein the first locked platform is configured to exert force on the second biasing element to move and hold the second biasing element at a plurality of tension positions;

a ratcheting mechanism configured to transfer energy to the first locked platform to displace the second biasing element to, and hold it in, one of a plurality of tension positions, the ratcheting mechanism comprising;

a ratchet face having a plurality of teeth configured to allow movement in a direction to displace the second biasing element to one of the plurality of tension positions and to prevent movement back in an opposite direction;

a first driving pawl configured to engage the locked platform;

a first linked arm coupled to the driving pawl; and

a release mechanism configured to periodically release the ratcheting mechanism to allow the first biasing element to release the stored potential energy and create a resonant oscillation to drive the resonating electrical generator; and

a driving mass coupled to the first linked arm of the ratcheting mechanism, the driving mass configured move in response to motion and thereby drive the linked arm, the first driving pawl, and the first locked platform to thereby move the first locked platform along the teeth and thereby move the biasing element to one of the plurality of tension positions.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the kinetic energy conversion system further comprises:

a plurality of biasing elements in parallel configured to be forced from a resting position to a plurality of tension positions and thereby store potential energy, wherein the plurality of tension positions have increasing degrees of tension;

a plurality of locked platforms each coupled to a first end of a corresponding biasing element, wherein the plurality of locked platforms are configured to exert force on a corresponding biasing element to move and hold the corresponding biasing element at a plurality of tension positions, and

wherein the ratcheting mechanism further comprises a plurality of driving pawls configured to engage the plurality of locked platforms and a plurality of linked arms coupled to the corresponding driving pawls, and

wherein the driving mass is coupled to the plurality of linked arms of the ratcheting mechanism, and the plurality of linked arms and driving pawls are configured to sequentially exert force on the plurality of locked platforms and the corresponding biasing elements to sequentially move the plurality of locked platforms along the teeth of the ratcheting mechanism and thereby sequentially move the corresponding biasing element to one of the plurality of tension positions, and

wherein the release mechanism of the ratcheting mechanism is configured to release all of the plurality of biasing elements simultaneously.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the second biasing element comprises a torsion spring and wherein the kinetic energy conversion system further comprises:

a gear configured to rotate about a center axis and thereby displace the second biasing element;

a pawl configured to engage the gear, wherein the pawl allows rotation of the gear in only one direction when engaged;

a pendulum comprising;

a lever arm with a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end configured to oscillate about the center axis of the gear, wherein the lever arm is configured to engage and rotate the gear as the lever arm oscillates, thereby transferring energy to the gear to displace the second biasing element; and

a mass coupled to the free end of the lever arm configured to move in response to motion and cause the lever arm to oscillate; and

a release mechanism configured to disengage the pawl and thereby enable the biasing element to release the stored potential energy.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the kinetic energy conversion system further comprises:

a ring gear having gear teeth on the inside of the gear, wherein the ring gear rotates about a center axis and thereby displaces the second biasing element;

a plurality of gears to engage the gear teeth;

a plurality of pistons configured to turn each corresponding gear, thereby rotating the ring gear to the plurality of tension positions and storing potential energy;

a plurality of disk cam interfaces coupled to each corresponding piston;

a plurality of ball joints;

a plurality of multiaxial vibrating beam-spring systems rotating about a corresponding ball joint and configured to drive the plurality of pistons via the plurality of disk cam interfaces; and

a release mechanism to disengage the plurality of gears from the ring gear and allowing the ring gear to return to the resting position and the biasing element to release the stored potential energy and thereby generate a resonant oscillation of the resonating electrical generator.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the ring gear further comprises a plurality of spurs around the outside of the gear, whereby the spurs are configured to strike a portion of the resonating electrical generator and create a resonant oscillation of the resonating electrical generator.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of vibrating beam-spring systems are tuned to have a natural frequency near the frequency of an ambient motion.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the first biasing element of the multiaxial resonating electrical generator comprises a first cantilever shaft having a free end and a fixed end, whereby the first magnet is coupled to the free end of the first cantilever shaft.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the multiaxial resonating electrical generator further comprises a core coupled to and supporting the coil.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the multiaxial resonating electrical generator further comprises:

a second cantilever shaft having a free end and a fixed end; and

a second magnet coupled to the free end of the second cantilever shaft and in proximity to the coil, the second magnet generating a second magnetic field in proximity to the coil such that the coil is located within the second magnetic field, whereby resonant oscillating motion of the second magnet relative to the coil generates an electric current in the coil.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the core of the multiaxial resonating electrical generator is ring-shaped and the core further comprises a central cross-bar around which the coil is wrapped, the ring portion of the core coupled to and supporting the fixed ends of the first and second cantilever shafts.

29. The system of claim 21, wherein the magnet of the resonating electrical generator is diametrically poled, the biasing element comprises a coil spring coupled to the magnet at a central axis, and the multiaxial resonating electrical generator further comprises a ring-shaped core, wherein the coil is wrapped around the ring-shaped core,

wherein the diametrically poled magnet is rotatably movable within the ring-shaped core about the coil spring coupled at the central axis of the magnet, and wherein rotation of the magnet relative to the coil generates an electric current in the coil.

22. A system for generating electrical power from multiaxial motion comprising:

a multiaxial resonating electrical generator to convert motion to electrical energy, the generator comprising;

a coil;

a first biasing element tuned to resonate at a first frequency in response to multiaxial motion at or near the first frequency; and

a first magnet generating a magnetic field, the first magnet coupled to the first biasing element and disposed in proximity to the coil such that the coil is located within the magnetic field, wherein the first biasing element enables resonant oscillation of the first magnet relative to the coil and thereby generates an electric current in the coil; and

a kinetic energy conversion system coupled to the resonating electrical generator to convert motion to stored potential energy, the kinetic energy conversion system comprising a second biasing element for storing the potential energy, wherein the second biasing element is tuned to resonate at a second frequency which is lower than the first frequency,

wherein the kinetic energy conversion system periodically releases the stored potential energy to generate a resonant oscillation at the first frequency to drive the multiaxial resonating electrical generator.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the first biasing element of the multiaxial resonating electrical generator comprises a torsion shaft with a fixed end, the first magnet of the resonating electrical generator is diametrically poled, and wherein the resonating electrical generator further comprises:

a core coupled to and supporting the coil; and

an offset mass coupled to the torsion shaft to increase twisting of the torsion shaft in response to motion, and

wherein the first magnet is coupled to the torsion shaft and configured to rotate as the torsion shaft twists in response to motion, whereby the rotating motion of the first magnet relative to the coil generates an electric current in the coil.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the torsion shaft of the multiaxial resonating electrical generator further comprises a free end opposite the fixed end and wherein the resonating electrical generator further comprises a shaft bearing positioned to support the free end and configured to facilitate rotation of the free end as the torsion shaft twists.

30. A system for generating electrical power from multiaxial motion comprising:

a multiaxial motion driven electrical generator to convert multiaxial motion to electrical energy, the generator comprising;

a biasing element;

a magnet coupled to the biasing element; and

a coil in proximity to the magnet such that the coil is in the magnetic field, wherein movement of the magnetic field relative to the coil generates an electric current in the coil; and

a kinetic energy conversion system coupled to the multiaxial motion driven electrical generator to convert multiaxial motion to stored potential energy, the kinetic energy conversion system comprising a compliance element for storing the potential energy,

wherein the kinetic energy conversion system periodically releases the stored potential energy to generate a resonant oscillation that drives the multiaxial motion driven electrical generator.