Energy extraction system
First Claim
1. An energy extraction system for a rotational surface, comprising:
- a drive mechanism having a rotational axis and configured to rotatably couple to the rotational surface, the drive mechanism comprising;
a cam rotatable about the rotational axis;
an eccentric mass coupled to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis, the eccentric mass comprising a first and a second section, the eccentric mass operable between a) a cohesive mode wherein the first and second sections are adjacent when a rotation frequency of the rotational surface is different from an excitation frequency of the eccentric mass; and
b) a separated mode wherein the first and second sections are separated when the rotation frequency is substantially equal to the excitation frequency;
an energy extraction mechanism connected to the cam and statically coupled to the rotating surface, the energy extraction mechanism configured to extract energy from relative rotation between the energy extraction mechanism and the cam.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An energy extraction system for a rotational surface including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis and configured to rotatably couple to the rotational surface and an energy extraction mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a cam rotatable about the rotational axis and an eccentric mass coupled to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis, the eccentric mass cooperatively formed by a first and a second section, the eccentric mass operable between a connected mode wherein the first and second sections are adjacent and a disconnected mode wherein the first and second sections are separated. The energy extraction mechanism is connected to the cam and is statically coupled to the rotating surface, wherein the energy extraction mechanism configured to extract energy from relative rotation between the energy extraction mechanism and the cam.
142 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An energy extraction system for a rotational surface, comprising:
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a drive mechanism having a rotational axis and configured to rotatably couple to the rotational surface, the drive mechanism comprising; a cam rotatable about the rotational axis; an eccentric mass coupled to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis, the eccentric mass comprising a first and a second section, the eccentric mass operable between a) a cohesive mode wherein the first and second sections are adjacent when a rotation frequency of the rotational surface is different from an excitation frequency of the eccentric mass; and
b) a separated mode wherein the first and second sections are separated when the rotation frequency is substantially equal to the excitation frequency;an energy extraction mechanism connected to the cam and statically coupled to the rotating surface, the energy extraction mechanism configured to extract energy from relative rotation between the energy extraction mechanism and the cam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An energy extraction system for a rotational surface configured to rotate at a rotation frequency, comprising:
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a drive mechanism having a rotational axis and configured to rotatably couple to the rotational surface, the drive mechanism comprising;
a cam rotatable about the rotational axis, and an eccentric mass coupled to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis, the eccentric mass comprising a first and a second section, the eccentric mass having an excitation frequency, the eccentric mass operable between;
(a) a connected mode when the rotation frequency is different from the excitation frequency, wherein the first and second sections are adjacent; and
(b) a disconnected mode when the rotation frequency is substantially equal to the excitation frequency, wherein the first and second sections are separated; anda reciprocating pump connected to the cam and statically coupled to the rotating surface, the reciprocating pump comprising;
a pump cavity and an actuating element that forms a substantially fluid impermeable seal with the pump cavity and is configured to translate within the pump cavity, and a force translator connecting the cam to the actuating element.
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Specification