ADAPTIVE HYDROKINETIC ENERGY HARVESTING
First Claim
1. An energy harvester for producing useable energy from fluid motion of a fluid medium, the energy harvester comprising:
- a support structure affixed directly or indirectly to a foundation or mounting;
wherein the support structure comprises one or more legs;
a morphable moving element movably supported by the support structure for oscillating movement along an axis of the support structure, wherein the axis is substantially perpendicular to a direction of the fluid motion;
a biasing element or spring for biasing the morphable moving element in a first direction along the axis; and
a converter for converting mechanical energy of the morphable moving element to useable energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An energy harvester for producing useable energy from fluid motion of a fluid medium, the energy harvester comprising a support structure affixed directly or indirectly to a foundation or mounting; wherein the support structure comprises one or more legs; a morphable moving element movably supported by the support structure for oscillating movement along an axis of the support structure, wherein the axis is substantially perpendicular to a direction of the fluid motion; a biasing element or spring for biasing the morphable moving element in a first direction along the axis; and a converter for converting mechanical energy of the morphable moving element to useable energy.
45 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An energy harvester for producing useable energy from fluid motion of a fluid medium, the energy harvester comprising:
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a support structure affixed directly or indirectly to a foundation or mounting;
wherein the support structure comprises one or more legs;a morphable moving element movably supported by the support structure for oscillating movement along an axis of the support structure, wherein the axis is substantially perpendicular to a direction of the fluid motion; a biasing element or spring for biasing the morphable moving element in a first direction along the axis; and a converter for converting mechanical energy of the morphable moving element to useable energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An energy harvester for producing useable energy from fluid motion of a fluid medium, the energy harvester comprising:
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a support structure affixed directly or indirectly to a foundation or mounting;
wherein the support structure has only a single leg comprising single-piece or multi-piece construction;a moving element movably supported by the support structure for oscillating movement along an axis of the support structure, wherein the axis is substantially perpendicular to a direction of the fluid motion; a biasing element or spring for biasing the moving element in a first direction along the axis; and a converter for converting mechanical energy of the moving element to useable energy. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for harvesting energy comprising the steps of:
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a. placing a morphable moving element or prime mover in a flowing fluid; b. morphing the moving element or prime mover; and c. transforming the motion of the moving element or prime mover in response to the flowing fluid to electrical energy. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification