Pneumatic energy harvesting devices, methods and systems

• US 8,525,361 B1
• Filed: 10/06/2009
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cypress Envirosystems, Inc (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Original Assignee: Cypress Envirosystems, Inc (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Inventors: Kramer, Marcus, Gawehn, Eric M., Sim, Harry, Nikolic, Dragan
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US12/574,422
• Time in Patent Office: 1,428 Days
• Field of Search: 290/43, 290/44, 290/54, 290/55, 290/52, 60/2, 605/08, 606/59
• US Class Current: 290/43
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/44 pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31119 Fielddevice comprises also controller and pneumatic actuator and sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/41309 Hydraulic or pneumatic drive

Abstract

An energy harvesting device may include a pneumatic system inlet configured to receive a pressurized gas; a pneumatic-to-electrical (PN/E) transducer that converts a flow of the pressurized gas into generated electrical energy; and an electrical device coupled to receive the electrical energy of the PN/E transducer.

Claims

1. An energy harvesting device, comprising:

a pneumatic system inlet configured to receive a pressurized gas;

a flow control device coupled to the pneumatic system inlet, wherein the flow control device is configured to increase a flow velocity of the pressurized gas;

a pneumatic-to-electrical (PN/E) transducer that converts the flow of the pressurized gas into generated electrical energy; and

an electrical device coupled to receive the electrical energy of the PN/E transducer.

2. The device of claim 1, further including:

an electrical energy storage device coupled to the PN/E transducer.

3. The device of claim 1, further including:

a pneumatic device executes mechanical functions in response to at least the flow of the pressurized gas.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the PN/E transducer comprises a turbine that rotates in response to the flow of pressurized gas to generate the electrical energy.

5. The device of claim 4, further including:

a controller circuit electrically coupled to the turbine that records counts of impeller rotations of the turbine.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the flow control device comprises:

a pneumatic start assist device configured to provide an initial flow of pressurized gas having a greater flow rate than a subsequent flow of the pressurized gas converted into electrical energy.

7. The device of claim 4,

wherein the flow control device comprises a nozzle constrictor configured to increase the flow velocity of the pressurized gas by constricting the received flow of gas to generate the flow of the pressurized gas converted into electrical energy.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the PN/E transducer comprises a piezoelectric system that includes a chamber, and a piezoelectric element disposed within the chamber that generates electrical energy in response to being deformed by the application of the flow of pressurized gas.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the PN/E transducer further includes a diagnosis circuit that provides a low generation indication when electrical energy generated by conversion of the flow of pressurized gas falls below a predetermined level.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein the start assist device further comprises:

a ballast chamber configured to store gas; and

a gas valve coupled with the ballast chamber, wherein the gas valve is configured to release the stored gas to assist an initial rotation of the turbine.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the flow control device is further configured to dynamically regulate consumption of the pressurized gas by the harvesting device based on a rotation rate of the turbine.

12. The device of claim 4, further comprising an electronic start assist device configured to assist an initial rotation of the turbine during a period of time during which the electronic start assist device is energized.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric element is configured to physically deform in response to an air pressure differential caused by the flow of pressurized gas past a primary surface of the piezoelectric element.

14. An energy harvesting device, comprising:

a pneumatic system inlet configured to receive a pressurized gas;

a chamber coupled with the pneumatic system inlet;

one or more valves coupled with the at least one chamber, wherein the one or more valves are configured to regulate a flow of the pressurized gas into and out of the chamber;

a pneumatic-to-electrical (PN/E) transducer comprising a mechanical element configured to move in response to increasing pressure in the chamber, wherein the PN/E transducer is configured to generate electrical energy from the movement of the mechanical element; and

an electrical device coupled to receive the electrical energy of the PN/E transducer.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein:

the PN/E transducer comprises a ballast system that includes at least first chamber,

a magnet,

an electrical coil formed around the first chamber, and

a pneumatic supply section that supplies a burst of pressurized gas from the flow of pressurized gas to induce the magnet to travel with respect to the electrical coil to thereby generate at least one electrical pulse.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein:

the PN/E transducer comprises a diaphragm system that includes a magnet,

an electrical coil, and

a vent valve, and wherein the mechanical element comprises a diaphragm that displaces the magnet in opposing directions with respect to the electrical coil in response to a pressure chamber being pressurized in response to the flow of pressurized gas and vented by the vent valve.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the PN/E transducer comprises a pneumatic piston system that includes a chamber, wherein the mechanical element comprises a piston disposed within the chamber, and wherein the PN/E transducer further comprises at least a first valve that applies the flow of pressurized gas to a first side of the piston.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the ballast system further comprises a relief valve configured to automatically release the burst of pressurized gas from the first chamber in response to a pressure within the first chamber reaching a predetermined pressure level.

19. The device of claim 17, further comprising a magnet coupled with the piston, wherein the magnet is configured to induce current in an electrical coil in response to motion of the piston.

20. The device of claim 14, wherein the PN/E transducer comprises one or more piezoelectric elements configured to generate electrical energy in response to physical deformation of the one or more piezoelectric elements caused by motion of a diaphragm coupled with the one or more piezoelectric elements.