Apparatuses and methods for using energy harvesting for variable shock absorption in a prosthetic device
First Claim
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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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a prosthetic limb, wherein the prosthetic limb has motion in at least one degree of freedom, may include 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. The apparatus may include an electromagnetic motor for converting mechanical energy of the output motion into corresponding electrical energy delivered to an electrical load and a variable-impedance energy harvesting circuit across terminals of the motor.
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Citations
25 Claims
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An prosthetic limb, comprising:
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a hydraulic cylinder including hydraulic fluid and a piston slidably movable in the hydraulic cylinder in response to motion in a degree of freedom of the prosthetic limb; an energy harvester operably coupled with the hydraulic cylinder, the energy harvester including an output member associated with said piston, the output member being configured to 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, the energy harvester including an electromagnetic motor for converting mechanical energy of said output motion into corresponding electrical energy; a variable-impedance energy harvesting circuit across terminals of the motor; and an energy storage reservoir, the electromagnetic motor being electrically coupled to the energy storage reservoir to direct energy harvested from said motion of the prosthetic limb to the energy storage reservoir or an electrical load, the circuit being operable to act as a variable damper on said motion of the prosthetic limb. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification