Kinetic harvesting frequency optimizer

• US 20100102673A1
• Filed: 10/24/2008
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Leukkunen, Marko J.
• Application Number:
  US12/288,926
• Publication Number:
  US 20100102673A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/318
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/181 Circuits; Control arrangements or methods

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a kinetic energy scavenger mechanism and a frequency tuning system. The kinetic energy scavenger mechanism is configured to harvest energy from a movement of a portable device. The kinetic energy scavenger mechanism includes at least one piezo member. The frequency tuning system is connected to the kinetic energy scavenger system. The frequency tuning system is configured to tune a harvesting frequency of the at least one piezo member based on, at least partially, a characterization of the movement of the portable device.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a kinetic energy scavenger mechanism configured to harvest energy from a movement of a portable device, wherein the kinetic energy scavenger mechanism comprises at least one piezo member; and

a frequency tuning system connected to the kinetic energy scavenger system, wherein the frequency tuning system is configured to tune a harvesting frequency of the at least one piezo member based on, at least partially, a characterization of the movement of the portable device.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a battery charger connected to the kinetic energy scavenger mechanism, and wherein the frequency tuning system further comprises an offset optimizer.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the offset optimizer is connected between the battery charger and the kinetic energy scavenger mechanism.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the offset optimizer is configured to apply a DC offset to the kinetic energy scavenger mechanism.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the at least one piezo member is a piezo cantilever member.

6. A device comprising:

a housing;

electronic circuitry in the housing; and

an apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is connected to the housing.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a housing;

electronic circuitry in the housing; and

an energy harvesting system proximate the housing, wherein the energy harvesting system comprises a kinetic member and a frequency tuning system, and wherein the frequency tuning system is configured to change a stiffness of the kinetic member based on, at least partially, a predicted movement pattern of the housing.

8. An apparatus as in claim 7 further comprising at least one sensor connected to the energy harvesting system.

9. An apparatus as in claim 7 further comprising at least one acceleration sensor connected to the frequency tuning system.

10. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the energy harvesting system further comprises a battery charger, and wherein the frequency tuning system further comprises an offset optimizer, wherein the offset optimizer is connected between the battery charger and the kinetic member.

11. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the frequency tuning system is configured to apply a DC offset to the kinetic member.

12. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the kinetic member is a kinetic cantilever member.

13. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the kinetic member is configured to have an adjustable length.

14. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the kinetic member is a kinetic piezo member.

15. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the frequency tuning system is configured to receive an input from a separate portable device.

16. An apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the frequency tuning system is configured to receive the input from a sensor and/or an application of the separate portable device.

17. An apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the apparatus is a headset, and wherein the separate portable device is a mobile phone.

18. A method comprising:

providing a housing;

installing electronic circuitry in the housing; and

providing an energy harvesting system proximate the housing, wherein the energy harvesting system comprises at least one piezo member and a frequency tuning system, and wherein the frequency tuning system is configured to tune a harvesting frequency of the at least one piezo member based on an operation mode of a portable device.

19. A method as in claim 18 wherein the energy harvesting system further comprises a battery charger, wherein the providing of the energy harvesting system further comprises connecting an offset optimizer between the battery charger and the at least one piezo member.

20. A method as in claim 18 further comprising connecting the energy harvesting system to a sensor in the housing.

21. A method as in claim 18 wherein the providing of the energy harvesting system comprising at least one piezo member further comprises providing an energy harvesting system comprising at least one kinetic cantilever piezo member.

22. A method comprising:

detecting movements of a portable device;

analyzing the detected movements; and

determining an environment of the portable device based on, at least partially, the analyzed detected movements.

23. A method as in claim 22 wherein the detecting movements of the portable device further comprises detecting vibrations of the portable device.

24. A method as in claim 22 further comprising:

applying a DC voltage to a kinetic piezo member of the portable device in response to the determined environment.

25. A method comprising:

sensing movements of a portable device;

characterizing the sensed movements; and

changing a stiffness of a kinetic energy harvesting member based on, at least partially, the characterization of the sensed movements.

26. A method as in claim 25 wherein the changing of the stiffness of the kinetic energy harvesting member further comprises changing a resonant frequency of the kinetic energy harvesting member.

27. A method as in claim 25 wherein the changing of the stiffness of the kinetic energy harvesting member further comprises applying a voltage to the kinetic energy harvesting member.

28. A method as in claim 25 wherein the changing of the stiffness of the kinetic energy harvesting member further comprises changing a stiffness of a piezo member.

29. A method as in claim 25 wherein the sensing of the movements of the portable device further comprises utilizing an existing sensor of the portable device.

30. A method as in claim 25 wherein the kinetic energy harvesting member is disposed within another different portable device.

31. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for performing operations to tune a frequency of an energy harvesting system, the operations comprising:

detecting a movement pattern of a portable device;

determining a frequency corresponding to the detected movement pattern; and

applying a voltage to a piezo member based on, at least partially, the determined frequency.

32. A program storage device as in claim 31 wherein the applying of the voltage to the piezo member further comprises applying a DC voltage to the piezo member, and wherein a frequency of the piezo member is tuned in response to the applying of the DC voltage.

33. A program storage device as in claim 31 wherein the applying of the voltage to the piezo member further comprises applying a DC voltage to the piezo member, and wherein a stiffness of the piezo member is adjusted in response to the applying of the voltage.

34. A program storage device as in claim 31 wherein the detecting of the movement pattern further comprises determining an operation mode of a device.

35. A program storage device as in claim 31 wherein the applying of the voltage further comprises applying a voltage to a piezo member of another different portable device.