GENERATOR UTILIZING FLUID-INDUCED OSCILLATIONS
First Claim
1. An electrical generator comprising:
- an elongated, thin, flexible membrane defining a central axis and having at least two fixed ends, wherein the membrane vibrates when subject to a fluid flow substantially transverse to the central axis;
an electrical conductor and a magnetic field generator configured to apply a magnetic field to the electrical conductor, wherein one of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator is attached to the membrane and configured to move with the membrane, wherein the movement of the one of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator attached to the membrane is substantially transverse to both the central axis and the fluid flow;
wherein the vibration of the membrane caused by the fluid flow causes a relative movement between the electrical conductor and the applied magnetic field;
whereby the relative movement causes a change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor; and
the change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor induces a current flowing in the conductor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical generator including a magnetic field generator and at least one energy converter for converting energy present in fluid flows into vibrations or oscillations. The converter includes a flexible membrane having at least two fixed ends. The membrane vibrates when subject to a fluid flow. One of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator is attached to the membrane and configured to move with the membrane. The vibration of the membrane caused by the fluid flow causes a relative movement between the electrical conductor and the applied magnetic field. The relative movement causes a change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor, and the change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor induces a current flowing in the conductor.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. An electrical generator comprising:
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an elongated, thin, flexible membrane defining a central axis and having at least two fixed ends, wherein the membrane vibrates when subject to a fluid flow substantially transverse to the central axis; an electrical conductor and a magnetic field generator configured to apply a magnetic field to the electrical conductor, wherein one of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator is attached to the membrane and configured to move with the membrane, wherein the movement of the one of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator attached to the membrane is substantially transverse to both the central axis and the fluid flow; wherein the vibration of the membrane caused by the fluid flow causes a relative movement between the electrical conductor and the applied magnetic field; whereby the relative movement causes a change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor; and
the change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor induces a current flowing in the conductor. - 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, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for modifying the performance of an electrical generator in response to environmental conditions comprising the steps of:
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providing a flexible thin membrane defining a central axis and having at least two fixed ends; allowing the membrane to vibrate when subject to a fluid flow substantially transverse to the central axis; providing an electrical conductor, providing a magnetic field generator that applies a magnetic field to the electrical conductor, and attaching one of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator to the membrane; detecting the speed of the fluid flow; adjusting the membrane based upon the detected speed of the fluid flow. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification