ENERGY CONVERTER WITH TRANSDUCERS FOR CONVERTING FLUID-INDUCED MOVEMENTS OR STRESS TO ELECTRICITY
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electrical generator comprising:
- a supporting structure;
a flexible membrane having at least two ends supported by the supporting structure, wherein the membrane moves when subject to a fluid flow; and
at least one transducer element attached to, or that forms all or a part of, the membrane, wherein the movement of the membrane caused by the fluid flow creates a stress on the transducer;
whereby the stress on the transducer creates an electrical potential and, when connected to an appropriate load, an electrical current.
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Abstract
An energy converter for inducing vibrations of a membrane when subject to a fluid flow, and converting the vibrations into another form of energy, such as electricity. The energy converter includes at least one flexible membrane supported and/or fixed at least two points and at least one transducer. The transducer is attached to the membrane or disposed in the proximity of the membrane. When subject to a fluid flow, the membrane vibrates and creates a stress on the transducer, which induces an electrical potential.
38 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An electrical generator comprising:
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a supporting structure; a flexible membrane having at least two ends supported by the supporting structure, wherein the membrane moves when subject to a fluid flow; and at least one transducer element attached to, or that forms all or a part of, the membrane, wherein the movement of the membrane caused by the fluid flow creates a stress on the transducer; whereby the stress on the transducer creates an electrical potential and, when connected to an appropriate load, an electrical current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An electrical generator comprising:
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a supporting structure; a flexible membrane having at least two ends supported by the supporting structure, wherein the membrane vibrates when subject to a fluid flow; and at least one transducer element is in direct communication with the membrane, wherein the vibration of the membrane caused by the fluid flow creates a stress on the transducer; whereby the stress on the transducer creates an electrical potential and, when connected to an appropriate load, an electrical current. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electrical generator comprising:
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a flexible membrane having at least two fixed ends, wherein the membrane vibrates when subject to a fluid flow; and at least one transducer element attached to, or that forms all or a part of, the membrane, wherein the vibration of the membrane caused by the fluid flow creates a stress on the transducer; whereby the stress on the transducer creates an electrical potential and, when connected to an appropriate load, an electrical current. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An electrical generator comprising:
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a flexible membrane having at least two fixed ends, wherein the membrane flutters when subject to a fluid flow; and at least one transducer element disposed in the proximity of the membrane, wherein the flutter of the membrane caused by the fluid flow directly creates a stress on the transducer; whereby the stress on the transducer creates an electrical potential and, when connected to an appropriate load, an electrical current. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. An electrical generator comprising:
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a flexible membrane having at least one fixed end and at least one supported end, wherein the membrane vibrates when subject to a fluid flow; and at least one transducer element attached to, or in direct communication with, or that forms all or a part of, the membrane, wherein the vibration of the membrane caused by the fluid flow creates a stress on the transducer; whereby the stress on the transducer creates an electrical potential and, when connected to an appropriate load, an electrical current.
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27. A method of generating electricity comprising:
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subjecting a membrane with at least two fixed and/or supported ends to fluid flow; and providing at least one transducer element attached to, or that forms all or a part of, the membrane, wherein the movement of the membrane caused by the fluid flow creates a stress on the transducer, and whereby the stress on the transducer generates a voltage. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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Specification