CIRCUIT AND METHOD TO STARTUP FROM VERY LOW VOLTAGES AND IMPROVE ENERGY HARVESTING EFFICIENCY IN THERMOELECTRIC HARVESTERS
First Claim
1. An energy harvesting system comprising:
- a startup module for starting operation from a completely OFF state, said startup module using mechanical vibrations due to motion to activate a switch that allows charging of one or more first capacitive elements to reach a first defined voltage;
a storage module for buffering energy obtained from a thermoelectric harvester to be used by a load device, said storage module commences storing energy from said thermoelectric harvester when said first defined voltage has been reached allowing charging of one or more second capacitive elements to reach a second defined voltage;
a DC-DC converter module for providing regulated voltage to said load device after energy has been transferred from said thermoelectric harvester, said DC-DC converter module determines whether said second defined voltage has been reached and releases stored energy in said one or more first capacitive elements and said load device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An energy harvesting system is provided that includes a startup module for starting the energy harvesting system operation from a completely OFF state. The startup module uses mechanical vibrations due to motion to trigger a switch which permits the startup module to charge one or more first capacitive elements so to as reach a first defined voltage. A storage module buffers energy obtained from a thermoelectric harvester to be used by a load device. The storage module commences storing energy from the thermoelectric harvester when the first defined voltage has been reached allowing charging of one or more second capacitive elements to reach a second defined voltage. A DC-DC converter module provides regulated voltage to the load device after energy has been transferred from the thermoelectric harvester. The DC-DC converter module determines whether the second defined voltage has been reached and releases stored energy in the one or more first capacitive elements and the load device.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An energy harvesting system comprising:
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a startup module for starting operation from a completely OFF state, said startup module using mechanical vibrations due to motion to activate a switch that allows charging of one or more first capacitive elements to reach a first defined voltage; a storage module for buffering energy obtained from a thermoelectric harvester to be used by a load device, said storage module commences storing energy from said thermoelectric harvester when said first defined voltage has been reached allowing charging of one or more second capacitive elements to reach a second defined voltage; a DC-DC converter module for providing regulated voltage to said load device after energy has been transferred from said thermoelectric harvester, said DC-DC converter module determines whether said second defined voltage has been reached and releases stored energy in said one or more first capacitive elements and said load device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of energy harvesting comprising:
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using a startup module to start the energy harvesting system operation from a completely OFF state, said startup module uses mechanical vibrations due to motion to activate a switch which permits the startup module to charge one or more first capacitive elements so to as reach a first defined voltage; buffering energy obtained from a thermoelectric harvester to be used by a load device using a storage module, said storage module commences storing energy from said thermoelectric harvester when said first defined voltage has been reached allowing charging of one or more second capacitive elements to reach a second defined voltage; providing regulated voltage to said load device after energy has been transferred from said thermoelectric harvester using said DC-DC converter, said DC-DC converter module determines whether said second defined voltage has been reached and releases stored energy in said one or more first capacitive elements and said load device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification