U.S. patent application number 11/303346 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-21 for apparatus for electrical signal generation based upon movement and associated methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to Harris Corporation. Invention is credited to Robert Francis Meehan, Kurt Alan Zimmerman.
Application Number | 20070138793 11/303346 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38172581 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070138793 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zimmerman; Kurt Alan ; et
al. |
June 21, 2007 |
Apparatus for electrical signal generation based upon movement and
associated methods
Abstract
A generator/sensor may include a pair of arcuate swing arms
having respective opposing ends pivotally carried by a base so that
the arcuate swing arms are transverse to one another and define a
movable crossing point therebetween. A body may be carried by the
arcuate swing arms at the crossing point therebetween. At least one
electrical generator may be driven by relative movement between the
body and the base, such as to generate electrical power or to sense
movement, for example. The body may be a pendulum mass or sail
responsive to fluid flow.
Inventors: |
Zimmerman; Kurt Alan;
(Indialantic, FL) ; Meehan; Robert Francis;
(Melbourne, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALLEN, DYER, DOPPELT, MILBRATH & GILCHRIST P.A.
1401 CITRUS CENTER 255 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE
P.O. BOX 3791
ORLANDO
FL
32802-3791
US
|
Assignee: |
Harris Corporation
Melbourne
FL
|
Family ID: |
38172581 |
Appl. No.: |
11/303346 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
290/1R |
Current CPC
Class: |
F03G 3/06 20130101; F03B
13/20 20130101; F05B 2250/44 20200801; Y02E 10/30 20130101; F03G
7/08 20130101; F05B 2210/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
290/001.00R |
International
Class: |
F03G 7/08 20060101
F03G007/08 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a base; a pair of arcuate swing arms
having respective opposing ends pivotally carried by said base so
that said arcuate swing arms are transverse to one another and
define a movable crossing point therebetween; a body carried by
said pair of arcuate swing arms at the crossing point therebetween;
and at least one electrical generator driven by relative movement
between said body and said base.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one
electrical generator is operatively connected between said base and
at least one end of said pair of arcuate swing arms.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said body comprises a
pendulum mass.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said pendulum mass
comprises an electrical storage battery connected to said
electrical generator.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said body comprises a
sail responsive to a fluid flow.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base is buoyant
in water.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an
electrical power load powered by said at least one electrical
generator.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising electrical
sensing circuitry connected to said electrical generator.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a gear
train operatively connected between said at least one electrical
generator and the at least one end of said pair of arcuate swing
arms.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each arcuate swing
arm has a semi-circular shape so that said pair of arcuate swing
arms define a hemi-spherical range of movement for said body.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one
electrical generator comprises a respective electrical generator
operatively connected between each end of said pair of arcuate
swing arms and said base.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base has an
opening therein; and wherein said pair of arcuate swing arms are
carried within the opening.
13. A self-powered buoy comprising: a base being buoyant in water;
a pair of arcuate swing arms having respective opposing ends
pivotally carried by said base so that said arcuate swing arms are
transverse to one another and define a movable crossing point
therebetween; a pendulum mass carried by said pair of arcuate swing
arms at the crossing point therebetween; at least one electrical
generator driven by relative movement between said pendulum mass
and said base; and an electrical load powered by said at least one
electrical generator.
14. The self-powered buoy according to claim 13 wherein said at
least one electrical generator is operatively connected between
said base and at least one end of said pair of arcuate swing
arms.
15. The self-powered buoy according to claim 13 wherein said
pendulum mass comprises an electrical storage battery connected to
said electrical generator.
16. The self-powered buoy according to claim 13 further comprising
a gear train operatively connected between said at least one
electrical generator and the at least one end of said pair of
arcuate swing arms.
17. The self-powered buoy according to claim 13 wherein each
arcuate swing arm has a semi-circular shape so that said pair of
arcuate swing arms define a hemi-spherical range of movement for
said body.
18. A sensor comprising: a base; a pair of arcuate swing arms
having respective opposing ends pivotally carried by said base so
that said arcuate swing arms are transverse to one another and
define a movable crossing point therebetween; a body carried by
said pair of arcuate swing arms at the crossing point therebetween;
at least one electrical generator operatively connected between
said base and at least one end of said pair of arcuate swing arms
and driven by relative movement between said body and said base;
and electrical sensing circuitry connected to said electrical
generator.
19. The sensor according to claim 18 wherein said body comprises a
pendulum mass.
20. The sensor according to claim 18 wherein said body comprises a
sail responsive to a fluid flow.
21. The sensor according to claim 18 wherein each arcuate swing arm
has a semi-circular shape so that said pair of arcuate swing arms
define a hemi-spherical range of movement for said body.
22. A method for generating an electrical signal based upon
relative movement between a body and a base of an apparatus further
comprising a pair of arcuate swing arms having respective opposing
ends pivotally carried by the base so that the arcuate swing arms
are transverse to one another and define a movable crossing point
therebetween with the body carried at the crossing point, the
method comprising: driving at least one electrical generator based
upon relative movement between the body and the base to thereby
generate the electrical signal.
23. The method according to claim 22 wherein driving comprises
operatively connecting the at least one electrical generator
between the base and at least one end of the pair of arcuate swing
arms.
24. The method according to claim 22 wherein the body comprises a
pendulum mass; and wherein driving comprises moving the apparatus
in a gravitational field.
25. The method according to claim 22 wherein the pendulum mass
comprises an electrical storage battery connected to the electrical
generator; and further comprising charging the electric storage
battery from the electrical generator.
26. The method according to claim 22 wherein the body comprises a
sail; and wherein driving comprises exposing the sail to a fluid
flow.
27. The method according to claim 22 wherein the apparatus further
comprises an electrical power load; and further comprising powering
the electrical power load from the at least one electrical
generator.
28. The method according to claim 22 wherein the apparatus further
comprises electrical sensing circuitry connected to the at least
one electrical generator; and further comprising performing sensing
using the electrical sensing circuitry.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to the field of generators and
sensors, and, more particularly, to a generator/sensor operated by
movement and related methods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The relative motion between two bodies may be used to
generate electrical power and this technique has been used to power
remote sensors such as waterway buoys. Waterway buoys range from
simple channel marking devices to complex data gathering sensors
that collect information such as wind speed, air temperature, water
temperature, wave heights, and the like. For example, a simple
channel marking device is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,334 to
Jacobi et al. The Jacobi et al. patent discloses a spherical buoy
carrying a battery and an arcuate member having two ends surrounded
by magnetic loops. A body having two windings at its ends travels
along the arcuate member in response to the buoy being moved by
wave action. The movement of the body winding through a respective
magnetic loop induces an electrical current that is used to
recharge the battery.
[0003] An example of a buoy used as a complex data gathering sensor
is a moored buoy in the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) monitoring
network. An NDBC buoy is part of a senor network that is
distributed throughout the U.S. waterways system to provide
mariners with current and historical marine information. These
buoys are typically powered by a combination of solar panels and
storage batteries.
[0004] Another type of buoy that monitors the surrounding ocean
conditions is the PowerBuoy.TM. distributed by Ocean Power
Technologies, Inc. of Pennington, N.J. This buoy has a power
generation system that includes a disc connected to a piston-like
structure. The disc is free to rise and fall when exposed to wave
action thereby actuating the piston-like structure, which drives a
generator on the ocean floor for producing electricity.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,994 to Gimlan also discloses a buoy for
generating power that includes a body coupled to a flywheel and a
capacitor means. The body oscillates back and forth in the buoy in
response to the buoy being moved by the water and such movement is
translated by the flywheel and capacitor means to generate
electrical energy.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,251 to Last et al. discloses a generator
for deriving electrical energy from the oscillatory motion of a
buoy using a single plane rocking pendulum. The generator includes
a pendulum having a permanent magnet for the bob, and an arcuate
member comprising a winding is positioned under the travel path of
the bob. The interaction of the permanent magnet with the winding
of the arcuate member generates electrical current.
[0007] There are also types of power generators that uses fluid
movement to generate power such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,023 to
Gordon, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,716 to Boyd. Each of these patents
discloses a base anchored in a body of water. A float is connected
to the base via a linkage member that translates the relative
motion of the float in relation to the base into mechanical,
hydraulic, or electrical power.
[0008] The relative motion between two bodies can also be used to
generate electrical signals indicative of the movement between the
two bodies. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,004 to Okubo
discloses a sensor for detecting the positioning of a spherical
body having an electret on the surface. The sensor includes a base
having a hemispherical recess therein with two electrically
conductive regions. The spherical body moves on a dielectric in the
hemispherical recess. The electrically conductive regions are
connected to sensing circuitry that determine the positioning of
the sphere based upon the interaction of the electret and the
electrically conductive regions.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,049 also discloses a sensor for
generating electrical signals indicative of the movement
experienced by a body. The sensor includes a housing carrying a
pendulum having a permanent magnet at the free end. Each end of a
reed switch is connected to a circuit and the reed switch is
positioned below the pendulum. The reed switch is responsive to the
permanent magnet of the pendulum to thereby complete the
circuit.
[0010] Unfortunately, the above described conventional systems may
be inefficient at generating electrical power for self-powering
applications for movements along multiple degrees of freedom, or
for movement sensing systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an
object of the invention to provide an apparatus and related method
to effectively generate electrical power, such as for self-powering
applications, or to sense movement, for example.
[0012] This and other objects, features and advantages in
accordance with the invention are provided by an apparatus
comprising a pair of arcuate swing arms having respective opposing
ends pivotally carried by a base so that the arcuate swing arms are
transverse to one another and define a movable crossing point
therebetween, and a body carried by the arcuate swing arms at the
crossing point therebetween. More particularly, the apparatus may
also include at least one electrical generator driven by relative
movement between the body and the base, such as to generate
electrical power or to sense movement, for example. The at least
one electrical generator may be operatively connected between the
base and at least one end of an arcuate swing arm. The motion of
the apparatus that may be captured is not limited to a single plane
and can be in any principle plane or any circular or elliptical
motion.
[0013] The body may comprise a pendulum mass in some embodiments.
For example, the pendulum mass may include an electrical storage
battery connected to the electrical generator. This takes advantage
of the typically large mass of a storage battery to also serve as
the pendulum mass. In other embodiments, the body may comprise a
sail responsive to a fluid flow, such as the flow of air or water,
for example.
[0014] The apparatus may further include an electrical power load
powered by the electrical generator. One particularly advantageous
application is for a self-powered buoy. In this application, the
base may be buoyant in water. In other embodiments, electrical
sensing circuitry may connected to the electrical generator, such
as for sensing motion of the apparatus or sensor, that causes
relative motion between the base and the body.
[0015] A gear train may be operatively connected between the at
least one electrical generator and the at least one end of the pair
of arcuate swing arms. The gear train may provide a reduction or
increase in rotation speed, and/or may provide a directional clutch
so that only rotation in one direction is coupled to an electrical
generator.
[0016] Each arcuate swing arm may have a semi-circular shape so
that the pair of arcuate swing arms define a hemi-spherical range
of movement for the body. In some embodiments, the at least one
electrical generator comprises a respective electrical generator
operatively connected between each end of the pair of arcuate swing
arms and the base. In addition, the base may have an opening
therein with the pair of arcuate swing arms being carried within
the opening.
[0017] A method aspect is for generating an electrical signal based
upon relative movement between a body and a base of an apparatus.
The apparatus may further comprise a pair of arcuate swing arms
having respective opposing ends pivotally carried by the base so
that the arcuate swing arms are transverse to one another and
define a movable crossing point therebetween with the body carried
at the crossing point. The method may include driving at least one
electrical generator based upon relative movement between the body
and the base to thereby generate the electrical signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic front perspective view, partially in
section, of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.
[0019] FIGS. 2-5 are schematic front perspective views of a portion
of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in four different positions.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic front perspective view of an
alternative embodiment of the pendulum mass in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a schematic front perspective view of an
alternative embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the
invention.
[0022] FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram of the pendulum mass of the
apparatus of FIG. 1 operating in a first motion direction.
[0023] FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of a gear box operating in
response to the pendulum mass movement illustrated in FIG. 8A.
[0024] FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of the pendulum mass of the
apparatus of FIG. 1 operating in a second motion direction.
[0025] FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram of a gear box operating in
response to the pendulum mass movement illustrated in FIG. 9A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred
embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar
elements in alternative embodiments.
[0027] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-5, an apparatus in the form
of a water buoy 10 for generating electrical power in accordance
with the invention is now described. The buoy 10 comprises a pair
of arcuate swing arms 12a, 12b having respective opposing ends 14
pivotally carried by a base 16 so that the arcuate swing arms are
transverse to one another and define a movable crossing point 18
therebetween. A body in the form of a pendulum mass 20 is
illustratively carried by the arcuate swing arms 12a, 12b at the
crossing point 18 therebetween. More particularly, the buoy 10 also
includes electrical generators 22a-22d driven by relative movement
between the pendulum mass 20 and the base 16 to generate electrical
power. The electrical generators 22a-22d are operatively connected
between the base 16 and respective ends 14 of the arcuate swing
arms 12a, 12b. The motion of the buoy 10 that may be captured is
not limited to a single plane and can be in any principle plane or
any circular or elliptical motion as can be seen with specific
reference to FIGS. 2-5. The buoy 10 efficiently generates
electrical power for movements along multiple degrees of freedom
for self-powering applications or movement sensing systems.
[0028] The buoy 10 further illustratively includes an electrical
power load 36 powered by the electrical generators 22a-22d. The
power load 36 may comprise a transceiver, not shown, connected to
an antenna 42, although other power loads such as signal lights,
communications equipment, and the like may provide part of the
power load.
[0029] Each arcuate swing arm 12a, 12b has a semi-circular shape so
that the pair of arcuate swing arms defines a hemi-spherical range
of movement for the pendulum 20, for example. Other shapes are also
contemplated as would be appreciated by those of skill in the art.
In other embodiments, less than four, or more than four, electrical
generators 22a-22d may be provided. The base 16 illustratively has
an opening 50 therein with the pair of arcuate swing arms 12a, 12b
being carried within the opening.
[0030] As understood with additional reference to FIG. 6, the
pendulum mass 20' may include an electrical storage battery 24 to
be connected to the electrical generators 22a-22d (FIG.1). This
takes advantage of the typically large mass of a storage battery 24
to also serve as the pendulum mass 20'.
[0031] One particularly advantageous application of the apparatus
is for the self-powered buoy 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1. In this
application, the base 16 may be rendered buoyant in water 26 by the
addition of floatation material 17 carried by the base in the
illustrated embodiment as will be appreciated by those of skill in
the art. The illustrated buoy 10 also comprises a sealed housing 34
for protecting the components of the buoy from environmental
damage, for example. As will be appreciated by those of skill in
the art, other embodiments may not use the fully sealed housing
34.
[0032] Referring now additionally to FIG. 7, the apparatus of the
invention is in the form of a fluid flow sensor 70 wherein the body
is in the form of a sail 72 responsive to a fluid flow 74. The sail
72 is illustrated to have four blades, but other sail
configurations are also possible as will be appreciated by those of
skill in the art. The fluid flow 74 may be the flow of air or
water, for example. In the case of air as the fluid flow 74, the
sensor 70 may be suspended from a frame and the sail 72 is exposed
to the fluid flow 74.
[0033] Electrical sensing circuitry 76 is illustratively connected
to electrical generators 78a-78d, such as for sensing motion of the
sail 72 in relation to the base 80. The electrical sensing
circuitry 76 may provide at least one of an accelerometer function,
a rate sensor function, and an angular inclinometer function. The
electrical sensing circuitry 76 may be used in conjunction with the
pendulum mass 20 embodiments as described with reference to FIGS.
1-6. In addition, conversely the embodiments including the sail 72
may be used to generate electrical power for a load as will be
appreciated by those of skill in the art.
[0034] Referring now additionally to FIGS. 8A-9B, the generator 22a
is operatively connected to a continuous rotation gear box 40. The
gear box 40 may provide an increase in rotational speed between the
end 14 of the swing arm 12a and the generator 22a, and may provide
directional clutches 48a, 48b so that only rotation in one
direction is coupled to the electrical generator 22a.
[0035] When the end 14 experiences a torque due to the movement of
the pendulum 20 in a first direction as illustrated in FIG. 8A,
then the lower clutch 48b of FIG. 8B slips and the upper clutch 48a
engages the gear train 46. Conversely in FIG. 9A, when the end 14
experiences a torque due to the movement of the pendulum 20 in a
second or opposite direction, the upper clutch 48a slips and the
lower clutch 48a engages the gear train 46. In both cases, the gear
train 46 is connected to the generator 22a and the movement of the
gear train causes the generator to produce an electrical signal as
will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.
[0036] A method aspect is for generating an electrical signal based
upon relative movement between a body and a base of an apparatus.
The apparatus may further comprise a pair of arcuate swing arms
having respective opposing ends pivotally carried by the base so
that the arcuate swing arms are transverse to one another and
define a movable crossing point therebetween with the body carried
at the crossing point as described above. The method may include
driving at least one electrical generator based upon relative
movement between the body and the base to thereby generate the
electrical signal.
[0037] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit
of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the
associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention
is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and
that other modifications and embodiments are intended to be
included within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *