System for generating electrical energy from ambient motion

• US 7,847,421 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2008
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strategic Design Federation W, LLC
• Original Assignee: Willowview Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Simmons, Layne Ellen, Yano, Steven E., Gardner, John F., Jackson, Ronald Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; T. C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cuevas; Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US12/018,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20080174120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.E, 290/1.R, 290/42, 290/53
• US Class Current: 290/1.00R
• 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 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1876 with reciprocating, linearly oscillating or vibrating parts
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1892 Generators with parts oscillating or vibrating about an axis

Abstract

A system for generating electrical energy from ambient motion that comprises two stages, a resonating electrical generator and a kinetic energy conversion system. The different stages have differing resonant frequencies to enable harvesting energy from low frequency ambient motion and converting it to high frequency resonant oscillation for efficiently generating electrical energy.

Claims

1. A multi-stage system for generating electrical power from motion, comprising:

a primary stage comprising a resonating electrical generator to convert motion to electrical energy, the generator comprising;

a coil;

a first biasing element tuned to resonate at a first frequency; and

a first magnet generating a magnetic field, the first magnet coupled to the first biasing element and disposed in proximity to the coil such that the coil is located within the magnetic field, wherein the first biasing element enables a resonant oscillation of the first magnet relative to the coil to generate an electric current in the coil; and

a supplementary stage coupled to the primary stage, the supplementary stage comprising a kinetic energy conversion system to convert motion to stored potential energy, the kinetic energy conversion system comprising;

a second biasing element to store potential energy by being forced from a resting position to a tension position,

wherein the second biasing element is tuned to resonate at a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency, and

wherein the supplementary stage periodically releases the stored potential energy to generate a resonant oscillation at the first frequency to drive the primary stage, and

wherein the first magnet of the resonating electrical generator is diametrically poled and the first biasing element of the resonating electrical generator comprises a torsion shaft with a fixed end, and the resonating electrical generator further comprises a core coupled to and supporting the coil, and wherein the first magnet is coupled to the torsion shaft and configured to rotate as the torsion shaft twists in response to motion.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the resonating electrical generator further comprises an offset mass coupled to the torsion shaft, wherein the offset mass increases twisting of the torsion shaft in response to motion.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the torsion shaft of the resonating electrical generator further comprises a free end opposite the fixed end and wherein the resonating electrical generator further comprises a shaft bearing positioned to support the free end and configured to facilitate rotation of the free end as the torsion shaft moves.

4. A multi-stage system for generating electrical power from motion, comprising:

a primary stage comprising a resonating electrical generator to convert motion to electrical energy, the generator comprising;

a coil;

a core coupled to and supporting the coil, wherein the core is ring-shaped and further comprises a central cross-bar around which the coil is wrapped;

a first biasing element tuned to resonate at a first frequency, wherein the first biasing element comprises a first cantilever shaft having a free end and a fixed end, wherein the core is coupled to and supports the fixed end of the first cantilever shaft; and

a first magnet generating a magnetic field, the first magnet coupled to the first cantilever shaft and disposed in proximity to the coil such that the coil is located within the magnetic field, the first cantilever shaft enabling a resonant oscillation of the first magnet relative to the coil to generate an electric current in the coil;

a second cantilever shaft having a free end and a fixed end, wherein the core is coupled to and supports the fixed end of the second cantilever shaft; and

a second magnet coupled to the free end of the second cantilever shaft and in proximity to the coil, the second magnet generating a second magnetic field in proximity to the coil such that the coil is located within the second magnetic field, whereby resonant oscillation of the second magnet relative to the coil generates an electric current in the coil; and

a supplementary stage coupled to the primary stage, the supplementary stage comprising a kinetic energy conversion system to convert motion to stored potential energy, the kinetic energy conversion system comprising;

a second biasing element to store potential energy by being forced from a resting position to a tension position,

wherein the second biasing element is tuned to resonate at a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency, and

wherein the supplementary stage periodically releases the stored potential energy to generate a resonant oscillation at the first frequency to drive the primary stage.

5. A multi-stage system for generating electrical power from motion, comprising:

a primary stage comprising a resonating electrical generator to convert motion to electrical energy, the generator comprising;

a first magnet coupled to the first biasing element, disposed in proximity to the coil, and generating a magnetic field such that the coil is located within the magnetic field, wherein the first magnet is diametrically poled; and

a first biasing element comprising a coil spring coupled to the first magnet at a central axis and tuned to resonate at a first frequency, the coil spring enabling a resonant oscillation of the first magnet relative to the coil to generate an electric current in the coil,

wherein the first magnet is rotatably movable within the ring-shaped core about the coil spring coupled at the central axis of the magnet and rotation of the first magnet relative to the coil generates an electric current in the coil; and

a supplementary stage coupled to the primary stage, the supplementary stage comprising a kinetic energy conversion system to convert motion to stored potential energy, the kinetic energy conversion system comprising;

a second biasing element to store potential energy by being forced from a resting position to a tension position,

wherein the second biasing element is tuned to resonate at a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency, and

wherein the supplementary stage periodically releases the stored potential energy to generate a resonant oscillation at the first frequency to drive the primary stage.

6. A multi-stage system for generating electrical power from motion, comprising:

a primary stage comprising a resonating electrical generator to convert motion to electrical energy, the generator comprising;

a coil;

a first biasing element tuned to resonate at a first frequency; and

a first magnet generating a magnetic field, the first magnet coupled to the first biasing element and disposed in proximity to the coil such that the coil is located within the magnetic field, wherein the first biasing element enables a resonant oscillation of the first magnet relative to the coil to generate an electric current in the coil; and

a supplementary stage coupled to the primary stage, the supplementary stage comprising a kinetic energy conversion system to convert motion to stored potential energy, the kinetic energy conversion system comprising;

a second biasing element to store potential energy by being forced from a resting position to a tension position, wherein the second biasing element comprises a torsion spring tuned to resonate at a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency;

a gear configured to rotate about a center axis and thereby displace the second biasing element;

a pawl configured to engage the gear, wherein the pawl allows rotation of the gear in only one direction when engaged;

a pendulum comprising;

a lever arm with a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end configured to oscillate about the center axis of the gear, wherein the lever arm is configured to engage and rotate the gear as the lever arm oscillates, thereby transferring energy to the gear to displace the second biasing element; and

a mass coupled to the free end of the lever arm configured to move in response to motion and cause the lever arm to oscillate; and

a release mechanism configured to disengage the pawl and thereby enable the biasing element to release the stored potential energy,

wherein the supplementary stage periodically releases the stored potential energy to generate a resonant oscillation at the first frequency to drive the primary stage.

7. A multi-stage system for generating electrical power from motion, comprising:

a primary stage comprising a resonating electrical generator to convert motion to electrical energy, the generator comprising;

a coil;

a first biasing element tuned to resonate at a first frequency; and

a first magnet generating a magnetic field, the first magnet coupled to the first biasing element and disposed in proximity to the coil such that the coil is located within the magnetic field, wherein the first biasing element enables a resonant oscillation of the first magnet relative to the coil to generate an electric current in the coil; and

a supplementary stage coupled to the primary stage, the supplementary stage comprising a kinetic energy conversion system to convert motion to stored potential energy, the kinetic energy conversion system comprising;

a second biasing element to store potential energy by being forced from a resting position to a tension position, and wherein the second biasing element is tuned to resonate at a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency;

a ring gear having gear teeth on the inside of the gear, wherein the ring gear rotates about a center axis and thereby displaces the second biasing element;

a plurality of gears to engage the gear teeth;

a plurality of pistons configured to turn each corresponding gear, thereby rotating the ring gear to the plurality of tension positions and storing potential energy;

a plurality of disk cam interfaces coupled to each corresponding piston;

a plurality of ball joints;

a plurality of multiaxial vibrating beam-spring systems rotating about a corresponding ball joint and configured to drive the plurality of pistons via the plurality of disk cam interfaces; and

a release mechanism to disengage the plurality of gears from the ring gear and allowing the ring gear to return to the resting position and the biasing element to release the stored potential energy and thereby generate a resonant oscillation of the resonating electrical generator,

wherein the supplementary stage periodically releases the stored potential energy to generate a resonant oscillation at the first frequency to drive the primary stage.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the ring gear further comprises a plurality of spurs around the outside of the gear, whereby the spurs are configured to strike a portion of the resonating electrical generator and create a resonant oscillation of the resonating electrical generator.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of vibrating beam-spring systems are tuned to have a natural frequency near the frequency of an ambient motion.

10. A system for generating electrical power from multiaxial motion, comprising:

a multiaxial resonating electrical generator to convert motion to electrical energy, the generator comprising;

a coil;

a first biasing element tuned to resonate at a first frequency in response to multiaxial motion at or near the first frequency, wherein the first biasing element comprises a torsion shaft with a fixed end; and

a first magnet generating a magnetic field, the first magnet coupled to the first biasing element and disposed in proximity to the coil such that the coil is located within the magnetic field, wherein the first magnet is diametrically poled, coupled to the torsion shaft, and configured to rotate as the torsion shaft twists in response to motion, the rotating motion of the first magnet relative to the coil generates an electric current in the coil, wherein the torsion shaft enables resonant rotational oscillation of the first magnet relative to the coil and thereby generates an electric current in the coil;

a core coupled to and supporting the coil; and

an offset mass coupled to the torsion shaft to increase twisting of the torsion shaft in response to motion; and

a kinetic energy conversion system coupled to the resonating electrical generator to convert motion to stored potential energy, the kinetic energy conversion system comprising;

a second biasing element for storing the potential energy,

wherein the second biasing element is tuned to resonate at a second frequency which is lower than the first frequency,

wherein the kinetic energy conversion system periodically releases the stored potential energy to generate a resonant oscillation at the first frequency to drive the multiaxial resonating electrical generator.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the torsion shaft of the multiaxial resonating electrical generator further comprises a free end opposite the fixed end and wherein the resonating electrical generator further comprises a shaft bearing positioned to support the free end and configured to facilitate rotation of the free end as the torsion shaft twists.

12. A system for generating electrical power from multiaxial motion, comprising:

a multiaxial resonating electrical generator to convert motion to electrical energy, the generator comprising;

a coil;

a first biasing element tuned to resonate at a first frequency in response to multiaxial motion at or near the first frequency, wherein the first biasing element comprises a first cantilever shaft having a free end and a fixed end; and

a first magnet generating a magnetic field, the first magnet coupled to the first biasing element and disposed in proximity to the coil such that the coil is located within the magnetic field, the first magnet coupled to the free end of the first cantilever shaft, wherein the first cantilever shaft enables resonant oscillation of the first magnet relative to the coil to generate an electric current in the coil; and

a kinetic energy conversion system coupled to the resonating electrical generator to convert motion to stored potential energy, the kinetic energy conversion system comprising;

a second biasing element for storing the potential energy,

wherein the second biasing element is tuned to resonate at a second frequency which is lower than the first frequency,

wherein the kinetic energy conversion system periodically releases the stored potential energy to generate a resonant oscillation at the first frequency to drive the multiaxial resonating electrical generator.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the multiaxial resonating electrical generator further comprises a core coupled to and supporting the coil.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the multiaxial resonating electrical generator further comprises:

a second cantilever shaft having a free end and a fixed end; and

a second magnet coupled to the free end of the second cantilever shaft and in proximity to the coil, the second magnet generating a second magnetic field in proximity to the coil such that the coil is located within the second magnetic field, whereby resonant oscillating motion of the second magnet relative to the coil generates an electric current in the coil.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the core of the multiaxial resonating electrical generator is ring-shaped and the core further comprises a central cross-bar around which the coil is wrapped, the ring portion of the core coupled to and supporting the fixed ends of the first and second cantilever shafts.

16. A system for generating electrical power from multiaxial motion, comprising:

a multiaxial resonating electrical generator to convert motion to electrical energy, the generator comprising;

a ring-shaped core;

a coil wrapped around the ring-shaped core;

a first magnet generating a magnetic field, the first magnet coupled to the first biasing element and disposed in proximity to the coil such that the coil is located within the magnetic field, wherein the magnet is diametrically poled; and

a first biasing element comprising a coil spring coupled to the magnet at a central axis and tuned to resonate at a first frequency in response to multiaxial motion at or near the first frequency, the coil spring enabling resonant rotational oscillation of the first magnet relative to the coil to generate an electric current in the coil,

wherein the diametrically poled magnet is rotatably movable within the ring-shaped core about the coil spring coupled at the central axis of the magnet and rotation of the magnet relative to the coil generates an electric current in the coil; and

a kinetic energy conversion system coupled to the resonating electrical generator to convert motion to stored potential energy, the kinetic energy conversion system comprising;

a second biasing element for storing the potential energy,

wherein the second biasing element is tuned to resonate at a second frequency which is lower than the first frequency,

wherein the kinetic energy conversion system periodically releases the stored potential energy to generate a resonant oscillation at the first frequency to drive the multiaxial resonating electrical generator.