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Apparatuses and methods for using energy harvesting for variable shock absorption in a prosthetic device

  • US 8,698,329 B2
  • Filed: 05/25/2012
  • Issued: 04/15/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a prosthetic limb, the prosthetic limb having motion in at least one degree of freedom, the apparatus comprising:

  • a piston configured to receive an input motion and provide an output motion when a first motion in a degree of freedom of the prosthetic limb causes pressure and motion of hydraulic fluid against a surface of said piston;

    an electromagnetic motor for converting mechanical energy of said output motion into corresponding electrical energy delivered to an electrical load; and

    a variable-impedance energy harvesting circuit across terminals of the motor, the circuit being operable to act as a variable damper on said motion of the prosthetic limb.

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