Energy harvesting system and method using multiple energy sources
First Claim
1. An energy harvesting system comprising:
- a primary energy harvesting device for generating a first electrical output signal from energy harvested from a first energy source;
a secondary energy harvesting device for generating a second electrical output signal;
a primary switching circuit adapted to be controlled by said second electrical output signal, and to receive said first electrical output signal, and to generate therefrom a final electrical output signal; and
a secondary switching circuit interposed between said secondary energy harvesting device and said primary switching circuit, for receiving said second electrical output signal and generating therefrom a switched second electrical output signal for powering electrical components of said primary switching circuit.
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Abstract
An energy harvesting system and method having improved efficiency. A primary energy harvesting device is used to generate a first electrical output signal. The first electrical output signal is applied to a first switching circuit. A secondary energy harvesting device is used to generate a second electrical output signal that is used to power a second switching circuit. The second switching circuit generates the switching drive signal for the first switching circuit, which in turn generates a final output signal. By using a second energy harvesting circuit operating in connection with a different structure, and a secondary switching circuit, less power from the signal generated by the primary energy harvesting device is needed to power the first switching circuit. This results in a greater percentage of the output power of the first signal being usable by an external device.
28 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An energy harvesting system comprising:
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a primary energy harvesting device for generating a first electrical output signal from energy harvested from a first energy source; a secondary energy harvesting device for generating a second electrical output signal; a primary switching circuit adapted to be controlled by said second electrical output signal, and to receive said first electrical output signal, and to generate therefrom a final electrical output signal; and a secondary switching circuit interposed between said secondary energy harvesting device and said primary switching circuit, for receiving said second electrical output signal and generating therefrom a switched second electrical output signal for powering electrical components of said primary switching circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An energy harvesting system comprising:
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a primary energy harvesting device for generating a first electrical output signal from energy harvested from a first energy source; a secondary energy harvesting device for generating a second electrical output signal; a primary switching circuit adapted to receive said first electrical output signal and to generate therefrom a final electrical output signal; and a secondary switching device interposed between an output of said secondary energy harvesting device and an input of said primary switching circuit, and being responsive to said secondary energy harvesting device, and adapted to generate a second electrical signal for powering electrical components of said primary switching circuit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for harvesting energy comprising:
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using a primary energy harvesting device to generate a first electrical output signal from energy harvested from a first energy source; using a secondary energy harvesting device for generating a second electrical output signal; and using a primary switching circuit adapted to be controlled by said second electrical output signal, and to receive said first electrical output signal, and to generate therefrom a final electrical output signal; amplifying said final electrical output signal; and using a secondary switching circuit interposed between said secondary energy harvesting device and said primary switching circuit, for receiving said second electrical output signal and generating therefrom a switched second electrical output signal for powering electrical components of said primary switching circuit.
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Specification