Apparatus and method for a hybrid system for harvesting magnetic and electrical energy

• US 8,692,396 B1
• Filed: 06/13/2012
• Issued: 04/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Lai, William W., Baca, Alfred J., Roberts, M. Joseph, Baldwin, Lawrence C., Owens, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US13/495,278
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R, 290/54, 36/29, 36/88, 310/17, 310/30
• US Class Current: 290/1.R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/38 with power sources
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/42 where power is generated by conversion of mechanical movement to electricity, e.g. by piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems

Abstract

A hybrid system for harvesting magnetic and electrical energy includes a substrate, at least one permanent magnet, and at least one coil of wire equal in number to the permanent magnet. Each permanent magnet is configured to fit in the substrate. Each coil of wire is configured to fit circumferentially around a respective permanent magnet. Each coil of wire is configured to fit in the substrate.

Claims

1. An energy harvesting device, comprising:

a substrate;

at least one permanent magnet configured to fit in said substrate, wherein each of said at least one permanent magnet has a central longitudinal axis; and

at least one coil of wire equal in number to said at least one permanent magnet, wherein each of said at least one coil of wire is configured to fit circumferentially around each of said at least one permanent magnet, wherein each of said at least one coil of wire is configured to fit in said substrate.

2. The energy harvesting device according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is an insole.

3. The energy harvesting device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one coil of wire is at least one solenoid.

4. The energy harvesting device according to claim 1, wherein each of said at least one coil of wire is connected in series to increase voltage output.

5. The energy harvesting device according to claim 1, wherein each of said at least one coil of wire is connected in parallel to increase current output.

6. The energy harvesting device according to claim 1, wherein said energy harvesting device is configured to fit within the confines of a shoe.

7. The energy harvesting device according to claim 1, wherein said energy harvesting device is configured to removably fit within a shoe.

8. The energy harvesting device according to claim 1, wherein said magnet is configured to move laterally along said central longitudinal axis when a compressive force is applied to said substrate.

9. The energy harvesting device according to claim 1, wherein said magnet is configured to rotationally spin about said central longitudinal axis when a compressive force is applied to said substrate.

10. A method of making an energy harvesting device, comprising:

providing a substrate;

providing at least one permanent magnet having a central longitudinal axis, wherein each of said at least one permanent magnet has a central longitudinal axis;

providing at least one coil of wire equal in number to said at least one permanent magnet, wherein each of said at least one coil of wire is configured to fit circumferentially around each of said at least one permanent magnet, wherein each of said at least one coil of wire is configured to fit in said substrate;

positioning and attaching each of said at least one permanent magnet in said substrate; and

circumferentially fitting each of said at least one coil of wire around each of said at least one permanent magnet and attaching each of said at least one coil of wire to said substrate.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said substrate is an insole.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said at least one coil of wire is at least one solenoid.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising connecting each of said at least one coil of wire in series to increase voltage output.

14. The method according to claim 10, further comprising connecting each of said at least one coil of wire in parallel to increase current output.

15. The method according to claim 10, further comprising fitting said energy harvesting device within the confines of a shoe.

16. The method according to claim 10, further comprising removably fitting said energy harvesting device within a shoe.

17. The method according to claim 10, further comprising configuring said magnet to move laterally along said central longitudinal axis when a compressive force is applied to said substrate.

18. The method according to claim 10, further comprising configuring said magnet to rotationally spin about said central longitudinal axis when a compressive force is applied to said substrate.