METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING BIOMECHANICAL ENERGY
First Claim
1. An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of one or more human or other animal joints, the apparatus comprising:
- a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy;
one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with the motion of the one or more joints; and
a first coupling operatively connected between one or more joints and the generator for transferring mechanical energy associated with motion of the one or more joints to the generator;
a second coupling operatively connected between the generator and a load for transferring electrical energy output of the generator to the load;
control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured, based on the one or more sensed characteristics, to disengage at least one of;
the mechanical energy transfer of the first coupling;
and the electrical energy transfer of the second coupling.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of one or more human or other animal joints, the apparatus comprising:
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a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with the motion of the one or more joints; and a first coupling operatively connected between one or more joints and the generator for transferring mechanical energy associated with motion of the one or more joints to the generator; a second coupling operatively connected between the generator and a load for transferring electrical energy output of the generator to the load; control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured, based on the one or more sensed characteristics, to disengage at least one of;
the mechanical energy transfer of the first coupling;and the electrical energy transfer of the second coupling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for harvesting energy from motion of one or more human or other animal joints, the method comprising:
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coupling a generator to the one or more joints for converting mechanical energy associated with the motion of the one or more joints into corresponding electrical energy; sensing one or more characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, assessing whether the motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions; based on the assessment of whether the motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions, modifying at least one of; a first coupling of mechanical energy associated with the motion of the one or more joints to the generator; a second coupling of electrical energy from the generator to a load. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification