Systems and methods for harvesting vibrational energy from vehicles
First Claim
1. An apparatus for harvesting vibrational energy from structural elements of a vehicle possessing vibrational energy, said apparatus comprising:
- a first vibrational energy harvester coupled to a wing-to-body fairing panel in a primary area of the vehicle, and tuned to a frequency of vibration of the wing-to-body fairing panel in the primary area, and a second vibrational energy harvester coupled to a second structural element in a secondary area of the vehicle, the secondary area structurally coupled to and receiving vibrational energy from the primary area, the second structural element comprising a wing-to-body fairing support frame.
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Abstract
Disclosed are methods, systems and apparatuses for harvesting vibrational energy from vehicles, as well as methods for locating vibrational energy on a vehicle. One harvesting apparatus comprises a vibrational energy harvester coupled to a substantially maximal vibrational displacement node of the structural element of a vehicle, and tuned to a frequency of vibration of the maximal vibrational displacement node. The harvester may be one of a variety of harvesting devices, such as piezoelectric devices. Methods are also provided to locate structural elements which are appropriate for vibrational energy harvesting.
38 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An apparatus for harvesting vibrational energy from structural elements of a vehicle possessing vibrational energy, said apparatus comprising:
a first vibrational energy harvester coupled to a wing-to-body fairing panel in a primary area of the vehicle, and tuned to a frequency of vibration of the wing-to-body fairing panel in the primary area, and a second vibrational energy harvester coupled to a second structural element in a secondary area of the vehicle, the secondary area structurally coupled to and receiving vibrational energy from the primary area, the second structural element comprising a wing-to-body fairing support frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for harvesting vibrational energy from structural elements of a vehicle possessing vibrational energy, said apparatus comprising:
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a vibrational energy harvester coupled to a substantially maximal vibrational displacement node of the structural element, and tuned to a frequency of vibration of the maximal virbrational displacement node; said vibrational energy harvester is located within a primary area having structural elements with vibrational energy;
wherein the vibrational energy is induced in said structural elements due to turbulent airflow caused by shape or positioning of vehicle features or airflow generated by an engine, said airflow impinging on a surface of the vehicle;said vehicle has a secondary area structurally coupled to, and receiving vibrational energy from said primary area; and said secondary area has a vibrational energy harvester coupled to a structural element possessing significant vibrational energy within said secondary area. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification