ELECTROMAGNETIC DEVICE HAVING COMPACT FLUX PATHS FOR HARVESTING ENERGY FROM VIBRATIONS
First Claim
1. Apparatus for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, comprising:
- at least one coil defining a surface;
a plurality of magnets arranged with respect to the at least one coil such that magnetic flux from the magnets induces an electric current through the coil in response to relative motion between the magnets and at least one coil over a range of motion, wherein magnetic lines of flux from the magnets through the at least one coil are perpendicular to both the surface of the coils and direction of relative motion between the at least one coil and magnets over the range of motion.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Electrical energy is produced by harvesting mechanical energy in the form of vibrations which are generally present in tools during the process of drilling oil wells. Electrical energy production is based on the Faraday induction principle whereby changes, i.e., movement, in magnetic flux through a coil induce an electric current through the coil. The changes in magnetic flux are produced by relative motion between at least one set of magnets and at least one coil. In particular, as the flux lines change due to the movement of the magnets, they remain perpendicular to both the direction of motion of the magnets as well as a planar or cylindrical surface defined by the coils. As a result, output for a given size of device is enhanced. Further, flexibility in adapting device form factor to particular shapes is enhanced. For example, a relatively flat device may be implemented using flexural bearing support of the magnets and coils on a printed circuit. The flexural bearings may also function as spring members that define the resonant frequency of the device. Alternative embodiments may be characterized by cylindrical or annular form factors.
83 Citations
38 Claims
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1. Apparatus for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, comprising:
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at least one coil defining a surface; a plurality of magnets arranged with respect to the at least one coil such that magnetic flux from the magnets induces an electric current through the coil in response to relative motion between the magnets and at least one coil over a range of motion, wherein magnetic lines of flux from the magnets through the at least one coil are perpendicular to both the surface of the coils and direction of relative motion between the at least one coil and magnets over the range of motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, comprising:
with at least one coil defining a surface and a plurality of magnets arranged with respect to the at least one coil such that magnetic flux from the magnets induces an electric current through the coil in response to relative motion between the magnets and at least one coil over a range of motion, controlling relative motion between the magnets and at least one coil such that magnetic lines of flux from the magnets through the at least one coil are perpendicular to both the surface of the coils and direction of relative motion between the at least one coil and magnets over the range of motion. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
Specification