Electromagnetic Energy Harvester and a Door Latch Release Mechanism as an Energy Source for the Harvester

• US 20110254285A1
• Filed: 04/15/2011
• Published: 10/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Hanchett, Leland J. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,659,176 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/1.R
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/022 movable, resilient or yieldable adjustable into different discrete positions E05B15/024; yieldable striker for emergency opening E05B65/1026
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0062 by generator
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 1/163 Cylindrical or tubular latches
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/08 recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 driven by intermittent forces
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids

Abstract

A system for electromagnetically harvesting waste kinetic energy. A wound electrical coil having a hollow bobbin abuts an opening in ring magnet. An actuator plunger extends through the opening. Fixed magnets are located at the opposite end of the bobbin. Floating magnets are disposed within the bobbin, arranged with their magnetic field opposing that of the fixed magnets but not that of the ring magnet. Axial force on the actuator plunger moves the floating magnets toward the fixed magnets. When the actuator is released, the floating magnets are repelled by the fixed magnets and attracted by the ring magnet, causing the floating magnets to pass rapidly through the coil, thereby generating an electric current in the coil. In one application, the harvester is actuated by a keeper in a door latch release mechanism. In a second application the harvester is actuated by a latch bolt of a lock set.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic energy harvester, comprising:

a) a coil including a wire winding having a central section, said central section defining an energy converter, said coil including a first end and a second end opposite said first end;

b) at least one floating permanent magnet slidably disposed within said energy converter defined by said central portion and having a first pole;

c) at least one fixed permanent magnet disposed at said first end of said coil and having a second pole oriented such that said second pole repels said first pole; and

d) an actuator disposed in cooperation with said at least one floating magnet, said actuator defining a receiver of outside input energy force.

2. An electromagnetic energy harvester in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a ferromagnetic plate disposed at said second end of said coil.

3. An electromagnetic energy harvester in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a ring magnet disposed at said second end of said coil.

4. An electromagnetic energy harvester in accordance with claim 3 wherein said at least one floating permanent magnet has a third pole opposite in polarity of said first pole and wherein said ring magnet has a fourth pole oriented such that said fourth pole attracts said third pole.

5. An electromagnetic energy harvester in accordance with claim 1 comprising a plurality of said at least one fixed permanent magnets.

6. An electromagnetic energy harvester in accordance with claim 1 comprising a plurality of said at least one floating permanent magnets.

7. An electromagnetic energy harvester in accordance with claim 1 wherein said winding defines first and second electrical lead ends and wherein said electromagnetic energy harvester further comprises a battery connected to said electric lead ends through a bridge rectifier.

8. An electromagnetic energy harvester in accordance with claim 7 further comprising a voltage rectifying circuit disposed between said coil and said battery.

9. An electromagnetic energy harvester in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wire winding is disposed about a bobbin and said at least one floating permanent magnet is slidably disposed within said bobbin.

11. A door latch activating mechanism in accordance with claim 9 wherein said one component is a keeper.

10. A door latch activating mechanism, comprising:

a) a plurality of interacting mechanical components, at least one of which is in motion during operation of said door latch activating mechanism; and

b) an electromagnetic energy harvester cooperative with said one component to harvest kinetic energy from said motion thereof.

12. A door latch activating mechanism, comprising:

a) a retractable latch bolt; and

b) an electromagnetic energy harvester having an actuator cooperative with said retractable latch bolt during retraction and extension thereof.

14. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said urging toward step also produces an electric current in said coil of electrically conductive wire.

15. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein the velocity of said at least one first magnet is greater in said urging away step than in said urging toward step.

16. A method in accordance with claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

a) providing an opening in said at least one third magnet;

b) providing a non-magnetic plunger extending through said opening; and

c) engaging said plunger with said at least one first magnet during said urging toward step.

17. A method in accordance with claim 15 further comprising the step of applying an axial force to said plunger during said urging toward step.

13. A method for harvesting kinetic energy as electric energy, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a coil of electrically conductive wire;

b) providing at least one first magnet slidably disposed within said coil of electrically conductive wire, wherein said at least one first magnet has a first magnetic orientation;

c) providing at least one second magnet proximate a first end of said coil of electrically conductive wire, wherein said at least one second magnet has a second magnetic orientation such that said first magnet is repelled by said second magnet;

d) providing at least one third magnet proximate a second end of said coil of electrically conductive wire, wherein said at least one third magnet has a third magnetic orientation such that said second magnet is attracted to said third magnet;

e) urging said at least one first magnet toward said at least one second magnet to increase magnetic repulsion therebetween; and

e) urging said at least one first magnet by said repulsion away from said at least one second magnet toward said third magnet to generate electric current by passage of said at least one first magnet through said coil of electrically conductive wire.