Method and apparatus for energy harvesting using rotational energy storage and release
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An energy harvester comprising:
- an energy collector secured to a base to store and release energy that accepts input from a receiver and that responds to a holder controlling output, said energy collector having an inherent output speed and an inherent output frequency,a receiver for receiving an input force and deforming the energy collector to a catch position according to an input displacement wherein the receiver travels with a rotational motion,a holder for temporarily holding the energy collector in the catch position with a constant displacement and releasing the energy collector from the catch position, said selective release being controlled in such a manner that the energy collector moves with an output displacement speed higher than the input displacement speed, that output displacement speed being governed primarily by said collector'"'"'s inherent output speed and frequency, anda converter for transforming the rotational motion of the energy collector into electric energy.
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Abstract
An energy harvester is provided for converting an input force into electrical energy and also allowing for energy to be stored and then released at a later time. The energy harvester includes a receiver, energy collector, converter, and holder, and operates in three stages. The receiver receives the input force and the energy collector is moved by the receiver with an input displacement. The energy collector is then held in a catch position. The input force changes direction, and the energy collector is released by the holder and moves with an output displacement that is different from the input displacement. The converter generates electrical energy from the motion created.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An energy harvester comprising:
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an energy collector secured to a base to store and release energy that accepts input from a receiver and that responds to a holder controlling output, said energy collector having an inherent output speed and an inherent output frequency, a receiver for receiving an input force and deforming the energy collector to a catch position according to an input displacement wherein the receiver travels with a rotational motion, a holder for temporarily holding the energy collector in the catch position with a constant displacement and releasing the energy collector from the catch position, said selective release being controlled in such a manner that the energy collector moves with an output displacement speed higher than the input displacement speed, that output displacement speed being governed primarily by said collector'"'"'s inherent output speed and frequency, and a converter for transforming the rotational motion of the energy collector into electric energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for harvesting energy comprising:
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deforming at an input displacement an energy collector by an input force and a rotational motion, capturing the energy collector for a period of time at a constant displacement, releasing the energy collector at an output displacement said energy collector having an inherent output speed and an inherent output frequency, and converting the rotational motion of the energy collector into electric energy.
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16. A method for harvesting energy comprising:
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an input stage during which a energy collector, said energy collector having an inherent output speed and an inherent output frequency, is deformed by an input force and a rotational motion, a hold stage during which the energy collector is held and the input force changes direction, and an output stage during which the energy collector is released and a output displacement of the energy collector is converted to electricity, that output displacement being governed primarily by said collector'"'"'s inherent output speed and frequency.
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Specification