Self-tuning energy harvester
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for generating electricity, the apparatus comprising:
- a flexural member configured to flex upon being subject to a vibration;
a plurality of weight displacement systems disposed at the flexural member, each weight displacement system in the plurality being configured to displace a moveable weight relative to the flexural member upon receipt of a signal;
a processor configured to provide a signal to each weight displacement system in order to achieve a desired resonant frequency of the flexural member; and
an electricity generating device coupled to the flexural member and configured to generate the electricity based on flexing of the flexural member.
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Abstract
An apparatus for generating electricity includes a flexural member configured to flex upon being subject to a vibration. A plurality of weight displacement systems is disposed at the flexural member, each weight displacement system in the plurality being configured to displace a moveable weight upon receipt of a signal. A processor is configured to provide a signal to each weight displacement system in order to achieve a desired resonant frequency of the flexural member. And, an electricity generating device is coupled to the flexural member and configured to generate the electricity upon flexing of the flexural member.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for generating electricity, the apparatus comprising:
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a flexural member configured to flex upon being subject to a vibration; a plurality of weight displacement systems disposed at the flexural member, each weight displacement system in the plurality being configured to displace a moveable weight relative to the flexural member upon receipt of a signal; a processor configured to provide a signal to each weight displacement system in order to achieve a desired resonant frequency of the flexural member; and an electricity generating device coupled to the flexural member and configured to generate the electricity based on flexing of the flexural member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for generating electricity, the method comprising:
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applying a vibration to a flexural member, based on vibration of a support of the flexural member, causing the flexural member to vibrate; displacing one or more weights in a plurality of weight displacement systems disposed at the flexural member in order to achieve a desired resonant frequency of vibration of the flexural member, the one or more weights in the plurality of weight displacement systems being displaced relative to the flexural member; and generating the electricity with an electricity generating device coupled to the flexural member. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions for generating electricity by implementing a method comprising:
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receiving a first signal related to flexing of a flexural member coupled to a electrical energy generating device configured to generate electricity due to flexing of the flexural member; and providing a second signal to one or more weight displacement systems disposed at the flexural member to move relative to the flexural member in order to achieve a desired resonant frequency of the flexural member.
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Specification