ENERGY HARVESTER FOR CONVERTING VIBRATIONAL MOTION OF A VIBRATING EQUIPMENT INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY, AND A DEVICE FOR MONITORING THE OPERATION OF A VIBRATING EQUIPMENT

• US 20140300113A1
• Filed: 04/04/2013
• Published: 10/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Metso Outotec Finland OY (Metso Outotec Oyj)
• Original Assignee: Metso Minerals Industries Incorporated (Neles Oyj)
• Inventors: Bachmann, Jan F., Kramlich, Eugen, Wurst, Helge B., Parker, Kami, Snyder, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 9,121,394 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/1.R
• 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 7/1892 Generators with parts oscillating or vibrating about an axis
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/186 Vibration harvesters

Abstract

The invention relates to an energy harvester for converting vibrational motion of a vibrating equipment into electrical energy. The energy harvester comprises a pendulum arranged to be pivotably attached to said vibrating equipment, a motion limiter arranged to limit a pivoting motion of said pendulum, and a generator connected to said pendulum and arranged to convert said pivoting motion into electrical energy. The vibrational motion has an operating frequency, and said pendulum has a natural frequency different from said operating frequency. The invention also relates to a device for monitoring the operation of a vibrating equipment.

Claims

1. An energy harvester for converting vibrational motion of a vibrating equipment into electrical energy, comprising:

a pendulum arranged to be pivotably attached to said vibrating equipment;

a motion limiter arranged to limit a pivoting motion of said pendulum; and

a generator connected to said pendulum and arranged to convert said pivoting motion into electrical energy,

said vibrational motion having an operating frequency, and said pendulum having a natural frequency different from said operating frequency.

2. An energy harvester according to claim 1, further comprising at least one spring element having a first and a second end, said first end being attached to said pendulum and said second end being arranged to rebound against said motion limiter.

3. An energy harvester according to claim 1, wherein said motion limiter comprises a first bar element provided on one side of said pendulum and a second bar element provided on the other side of said pendulum.

4. An energy harvester according to claim 3, further comprising a first spring element having a first and a second end, said first end being attached to said pendulum and said second end being arranged to rebound against said first bar element, and a second spring element having a first and a second end. said first end being attached to said pendulum and said second end being arranged to rebound against said second bar element.

5. An energy harvester according to claim 1, wherein said generator is a step drive.

6. An energy harvester according to claim 1, wherein said generator is a linear actuator.

7. An energy harvester according to claim 1, wherein said natural frequency of said pendulum is significantly higher than said operating frequency.

8. An energy harvester according to claim 1, wherein, said pendulum comprises a rod attached to a shaft, and a weight provided at an end of said rod.

9. An energy harvester according to claim 1, wherein said energy harvester is a high g energy harvester.

10. An energy harvester according to claim 1, wherein said vibrating equipment is a screen or a feeder.

11. An energy harvester according to claim 1, further comprising a microcontroller for monitoring the operating condition of said energy harvester.

12. An energy harvester according to claim 1, wherein said pendulum is arranged to move parallel with said peak-to-peak vibrational motion of said vibrating equipment.

13. A device for monitoring the operation of a vibrating equipment, comprising:

a sensor for detecting a parameter of said vibrating equipment;

an energy harvester for converting vibrational motion of a vibrating equipment into electrical energy;

a pendulum arranged to be pivotably attached to said vibrating equipment;

a motion limiter arranged to limit a pivoting motion of said pendulum; and

a generator connected to said pendulum and arranged to convert said pivoting motion into electrical energy,

said vibrational motion having an operating frequency, and said pendulum having a natural frequency different from said operating frequency.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein said energy harvester is adjustable in relation to a movement of said vibrating equipment.