Miniaturized generator with oscillating magnets for the production of electric energy from vibrations

• US 8,593,017 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2009
• Issued: 11/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pirelli Tyre SPA (Pirelli & C SPA)
• Original Assignee: Pirelli Tyre SPA (Pirelli & C SPA)
• Inventors: Stefanini, Cesare, Castrataro, Piero, Accoto, Dino
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DANG D
• Application Number:
  US13/122,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20110181132A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,513 Days
• Field of Search: 310/15, 310/20, 310/21, 310/28, 310/29, 310/32, 310/36, 310/37, 290/1.R
• US Class Current: 310/15
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems

Abstract

An electric energy generator from a vibrational field includes a body of non-ferromagnetic material, at least one pair of permanent magnets pivotally hung from the body in such a way that they are arranged therebetween. The magnets have faces of equal magnetic polarity turned to each other from opposite sides of the body, whereby a repulsive force is established between the magnets tending to keep them spread apart in an equilibrium position. A plurality of electric coils is arranged on the surface of the body so as to intercept the magnetic field generated by the magnets. The body is configured to be connectable to a vibration source, the vibration contrasting the repulsive force and causing an oscillation of the magnets about the equilibrium position, thereby generating a magnetic flux variation and thus an electric power production as an output from the electric coils.

Claims

1. An electric energy generator from vibrations comprising a body of non-ferromagnetic material;

at least one pair of permanent magnets pivotally hung from said body in such a way said body is arranged therebetween, said magnets being magnetized in such a way that a repulsive force is established tending to keep said magnets spread apart in an equilibrium position; and

a plurality of electric coils arranged on the surface of said body in such a way as to intercept the magnetic field generated by said magnets, wherein said body is capable of being configured to be connected to a vibration source, said vibrations causing an oscillation of said magnets about said equilibrium position which generates a corresponding variation of magnetic flux linked to said plurality of electric coils.

2. The electric energy generator from vibrations according to claim 1, wherein said at least one pair of magnets has faces of equal magnetic polarity turned to each other from opposite sides of said body.

3. The electric energy generator from vibrations according to claim 1, wherein said at least one pair of magnets is connected with said body through at least one rotational member defining two parallel hinge axes.

4. The electric energy generator from vibrations according to claim 3, wherein each magnet of said at least one pair of permanent magnets is pivotally connected with said body through a respective rotational element, said hinge axes being at parallel, opposed edges of said body.

5. The electric energy generator from vibrations according to claim 1, wherein said body has a parallelepiped shape and said at least one pair of magnets is hung pivotally to two opposite edges of one of its faces.

6. The electric energy generator from vibrations according to claim 1, wherein said body has a polygonal or cylindrical shape.

7. The electric energy generator from vibrations according to claim 1, wherein said electric coils have a substantially planar extension.

8. The electric energy generator from vibrations according to claim 1, wherein said central body is fixedly connected to a frame from which said permanent magnets pivotally hang, said central body being connectable to said vibration source at an opposite side relative to the side from which the magnets hang.

9. A method for converting vibrational mechanical energy into electrical energy comprising:

providing a generator comprising a body of non-ferromagnetic material, at least one pair of permanent magnets pivotally hung from said body in such a way that said body is arranged therebetween, said magnets being magnetized in such a way that a repulsive force is established tending to keep said magnets spread apart in an equilibrium position, and a plurality of electric coils arranged on the surface of said body in such a way to intercept the magnetic field generated by said magnets;

submitting said generator to a vibrational field capable of being adapted to contrast said repulsive force to oscillate said pair of magnets about said equilibrium position, thereby generating a magnetic flux variation; and

obtaining electric energy as output from said electric coils.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said magnets of at least one pair of permanent magnets are connected with said body about hinge axes parallel and coplanar, and the force generated by said vibrational field is directed in a direction orthogonal to said hinge axes.