U.S. patent application number 13/044999 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-08 for electrical energy generator.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tremont Electric, LLC. Invention is credited to Aaron Patrick LEMIEUX.
Application Number | 20120056499 13/044999 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39738641 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120056499 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEMIEUX; Aaron Patrick |
March 8, 2012 |
Electrical Energy Generator
Abstract
An electrical energy generator that converts kinetic energy
harvested from voluntary motor activity of a human or animal to
electrical energy. The electrical energy generator includes a
housing, a coil of electrically conductive material, a reciprocally
movable electromagnetically active mass, springs connecting the
mass to either the housing or to adjustment means engaged with said
housing, and, optionally, means for constraining non-linear motion
of the electromagnetically active mass, and/or means of mitigating
motion retardation of the electromagnetically active mass within
any existing housing atmosphere. The electrical energy generator
may be associated with a carried item, such as a backpack.
Inventors: |
LEMIEUX; Aaron Patrick;
(Cleveland, OH) |
Assignee: |
Tremont Electric, LLC
Cleveland
OH
|
Family ID: |
39738641 |
Appl. No.: |
13/044999 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12353028 |
Jan 13, 2009 |
7989971 |
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13044999 |
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11715544 |
Mar 7, 2007 |
7498682 |
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12353028 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
310/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02K 35/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
310/25 |
International
Class: |
H02K 35/02 20060101
H02K035/02 |
Claims
1. An electrical energy generator comprising: a housing having a
longitudinal axis, an interior cavity, an interior cavity surface,
and an exterior surface; electrically conductive material engaged
about at least a portion of said exterior surface of said housing
and extending along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis;
an electromagnetically active mass having at least one through-hole
positioned within said housing reciprocally movable along at least
a portion of said longitudinal axis; a guidance means passing
through said through-hole; a first spring engaged with said mass
and said housing; and a second spring engaged with said mass and
said housing.
2. The electrical energy generator of claim 1, further comprising a
spring deflection adjustor comprising: a threaded receiver engaged
with said housing; and a threaded member rotatably engaged with
said threaded receiver to permit helical motion of said threaded
member with respect to said housing.
3. The electrical energy generator of claim 1, wherein said housing
comprises a cylinder or tube.
4. The electrical energy generator of claim 3, wherein said
electrically conductive material comprises an induction coil.
5. The electrical energy generator of claim 4, wherein said springs
comprise coil springs.
6. The electrical energy generator of claim 5, wherein said coil
springs comprise extension springs.
7. The electrical energy generator of claim 5, wherein said coil
springs comprise compression springs.
8. The electrical energy generator of claim 6, wherein the entirety
of said electromagnetically active mass is adapted to pass through
the entirety of said induction coil twice during a single
reciprocation period.
9. The electrical energy generator of claim 8, wherein said mass
comprises a permanent magnet.
10. The electrical energy generator of claim 9, wherein said
generator further comprises a shroud at least partially covering
said induction coil, said shroud having a high magnetic
permeability.
11. The electrical energy generator of claim 10, wherein said
shroud comprises a ferromagnetic material.
12. The electrical energy generator of claim 5 wherein: said
electromagnetically active mass does not comprise a permanent
magnet; and said generator comprises a shroud at least partially
covering said induction coil, wherein said shroud comprises a
permanent magnet.
13. The electrical energy generator of claim 2, wherein said
threaded members comprise male threaded shafts.
14. The electrical energy generator of claim 2, wherein said
threaded receivers comprise female threads integrally formed in
said housing.
15. The electrical energy generator of claim 1, wherein said
generator is in electrical connection with an electronic
device.
16. The electrical energy generator of claim 1, wherein said
guidance means comprises a guide rod.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation application of copending
U.S. Ser. No. 12/353,028, filed on Jan. 13, 2009, which is a
divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 11/715,544, filed on Mar.
7, 2007.
[0002] A device for harvesting mechanical energy from a moving mass
and converting the harvested mechanical energy into usable
electrical energy is disclosed. The device permits the capture of
mechanical energy imparted to the device from movement, such as
human gait activities, and the conversion of the captured
mechanical energy into electrical energy. The device may be used to
provide power to a wide variety of electronic devices.
[0003] Mechanical energy comprises a number of forms of energy
including, but not limited to kinetic energy. Mechanical energy is
manifested in the bodies of humans and animals as a result of their
physical processes. Such physical processes include voluntary body
movements. Amongst voluntary body movements are gait processes.
Gait activities include stepping, walking, running, climbing,
jumping, and similar activities. Other voluntary body movements
include grasping, reaching, shaking, swinging, stretching, etc. All
voluntary body movements are manifested as motion of body members
having mass so that all voluntary motor activities develop kinetic
energy. Further, voluntary motor activities may impart kinetic
energy to peripheral masses engaged with a moving body.
[0004] It is sometimes desirable to convert mechanical energy to
electrical energy. An example is the conversion of kinetic energy
into electrical energy as the kinetic energy of a mass moves a
magnetic field relative to a conductive coil thereby converting the
kinetic energy of the mass to electrical energy by action of
electromagnetic induction.
[0005] Devices to convert the kinetic energy manifested in the
bodies and peripheral masses engaged with the bodies of humans as a
result of their physical processes into electrical energy are not
well-developed. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a device to
harvest kinetic energy imparted by voluntary motor activities and
convert the harvested mechanical energy into electrical energy.
[0006] Provided is an electrical energy generator comprising a
housing having a longitudinal axis, an interior cavity, an interior
cavity surface, and an exterior surface, an electrically conductive
material engaged about at least a portion of said exterior surface
of said housing and extending along at least a portion of said
longitudinal axis, an electromagnetically active mass positioned
within said housing reciprocally movable along at least a portion
of said longitudinal axis and constrained within said housing to
substantially prevent non-reciprocating motion of said
electromagnetically active mass within said housing, a first spring
having first and second ends, wherein one end is engaged with said
housing and one end is engaged with said electromagnetically active
mass, and a second spring having first and second ends, wherein one
end is engaged with said housing and one end is engaged with said
electromagnetically active mass.
[0007] According to other embodiments, additionally provided is a
mechanical energy harvester comprising a housing having a
longitudinal axis, electrically conductive material engaged about
at least of portion of the exterior surface of said housing and
extending along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis, an
electromagnetically active mass positioned within said housing,
said mass reciprocally movable along at least a portion of said
longitudinal axis, a first spring having first and second ends,
wherein one end is engaged with said housing and one end in engaged
with said electromagnetically active mass, a second spring having
first and second ends, wherein one end is engaged with said housing
and one end is engaged with said electromagnetically active mass,
and a means to mitigate motion retardation of said
electromagnetically active mass within the housing.
[0008] According to further embodiments, also provided is a
electrical energy generator comprising a housing having a
longitudinal axis, an interior cavity, an interior cavity surface,
and an exterior surface, an electrically conductive material
engaged about at least a portion of said exterior surface of said
housing and extending along at least a portion of said longitudinal
axis, an electromagnetically active mass positioned within said
housing reciprocally movable along at least a portion of said
longitudinal axis, a first spring having first and second ends,
wherein one of said ends is engaged with said electromagnetically
active mass, and a second spring having first and second ends,
wherein one of said ends is engaged with said electromagnetically
active mass, and at least one spring deflection adjustor engaged
with said housing and at least one of said springs.
[0009] Further provided is a wearable or car gable item comprising
a pack, a strap attached to said pack, and an electrical energy
generator engaged with said pack. According to illustrative
embodiments the backpack comprises a pack, a strap attached to said
pack, optionally, a frame attached to said pack; and the electrical
energy generator (i) positioned within said pack, (ii) engaged with
said pack, (iii) engaged with said frame, if present, or a
combination thereof.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment
of the electrical energy generator.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another illustrative
embodiment of the electrical energy generator.
[0012] Kinetic energy is manifested in the bodies of animals and
humans, as a result of different voluntary motor activities.
Voluntary motor activities include, for example, gait processes,
leg movements, arm movements, head movements, torso movements, and
the like. Kinetic energy is also manifested in the objects or
masses that are moved by a human or animal in the course of
transporting them. Some voluntary motor activities, such as human
walking gait, are rhythmic activities which have a predictable
frequency or periodicity. In the case of human walking gait, the
predictable frequency is approximately 2 Hz.
[0013] An electrical energy generator for harvesting kinetic energy
and converting the harvested kinetic energy developed or imparted
by voluntary motor activities into electrical energy is provided.
The electrical energy generator generally comprises a housing, an
induction coil, an electromagnetically active mass movable in a
reciprocating manner relative to the housing, and at least one
spring engaging the electromagnetically active mass to the
housing.
[0014] According to certain illustrative embodiments, the
electrical energy generator generally comprises a housing, an
induction coil, an electromagnetically active mass movable in a
reciprocating manner relative to the housing, a first spring
engaged with the mass and the housing, and a second spring engaged
with the mass and the housing.
[0015] According to further illustrative embodiments, the
electrical energy generator comprises a housing, an induction coil,
an electromagnetically active mass movable in a reciprocating
manner relative to the housing, a first spring engaged with the
mass and the housing, a second spring engaged with the mass and the
housing, wherein the electromagnetically active mass is constrained
within the housing to minimize or otherwise substantially prevent
non-reciprocating movement of the mass.
[0016] According to other illustrative embodiments, the electrical
energy generator comprises a housing, an induction coil, an
electromagnetically active mass movable in a reciprocating manner
relative to the housing, a first spring engaged with the mass and
the housing, and a second spring engaged with the mass and the
housing, and means of mitigating motion retardation of the
electromagnetically active mass within the housing.
[0017] According to additional illustrative embodiments, the
electrical energy generator comprises a housing, an induction coil,
an electromagnetically active mass movable in a reciprocating
manner relative to the housing, a first spring engaged with the
mass and the housing, and a second spring engaged with the mass and
the housing, and at least one spring deflection adjustor.
[0018] It should be noted that the electrical energy generator may
include a combination of two or more of means for constraining the
non-reciprocating movement of the electromagnetically active mass
within the housing, means for mitigating motion retardation of the
electromagnetically active mass within the housing, and at least
one spring deflection adjustor.
[0019] The device harvests mechanical energy and converts the
harvested mechanical energy into electrical energy. By harvesting
mechanical energy from the reciprocating mass and converting it
into electrical energy, the device acts as a linear electrical
generator. The generated electrical energy may be used to power a
wide variety of electronic devices including, without limitation,
locators, signaling equipment, entertainment equipment, energy
storage equipment, radio receivers, radio transmitters, wireless
telephones, cameras, global positioning system (GPS) equipment, and
like electronic devices.
[0020] The housing of the device may comprise any suitable
structure, capsule, container, or vessel that is capable of
engaging the other components of the electrical energy generator.
The housing general includes a longitudinal axis, an exterior
surface, an interior cavity, and an interior surface. Without
limitation, according to certain embodiments, the housing comprises
an elongated cylinder or tube having an interior cavity or
volume.
[0021] The housing may be constructed of any material that can
support the engagement of device components and that does not
interfere with the harvest of mechanical energy or conversion of
the mechanical energy into electrical energy. Without limitation,
suitable material that may be used to construct the housing of the
device comprises metal, metal alloys, plastic, glass, composite
materials, or combinations thereof.
[0022] The housing may be provided as an open container, such that
the interior of the housing is in communication with the external
environment surrounding the housing. According to embodiments in
which the housing is open, the means of communication with the
environment surrounding the housing may include apertures, holes,
vents, slots, perforations, or like structure located within the
wall of the housing, thereby providing communication between the
interior cavity of the housing and the external environment. In
open embodiments, the housing atmosphere is generally substantially
identical to the surrounding environmental atmosphere.
[0023] According to other embodiments, the housing comprises a
closed structure such that the interior of the housing is
substantially isolated from the environment surrounding the
housing. According to embodiments including a closed housing, the
housing atmosphere need not be substantially identical to the
surrounding external environmental atmosphere. For example, without
limitation, the housing atmosphere may comprise air, nitrogen, a
Nobel gas, mineral oil, vegetable oil, water, saline, substantial
vacuum, a ferrofluid, or combinations thereof.
[0024] The device includes an electrically conductive material that
is engaged about at least a portion of the exterior surface of said
housing. Without limitation, the electrically conductive material
may be provided in the form of an induction coil. The induction
coil may include an armature, inductor, wire coil, or any other
looped electrically conductive material. A change in a local
magnetic field produces a current within and a potential across an
induction coil. Because the induction coil is engaged about the
housing and extends along a portion of the axis of the housing, a
change in a magnetic field proximal to that portion of the housing
engaged with the induction coil produces a current within and a
potential across the induction coil.
[0025] The device includes at least one spring engaging the
electromagnetically active mass to the housing. The springs
generally have opposite first and second ends, and are engaged at
one end with the housing and at the other end with the
electromagnetically active mass. A spring is any component which
produces a restorative force in response to its displacement.
Certain springs produce restorative forces directly proportional to
their displacement. Springs which produce restorative forces
directly proportional to their displacement are springs which obey
Hooke's Law. A spring accumulates mechanical energy in the form of
potential energy as work is done upon it and releases it as the
above-referenced restorative force. The relationship between the
restorative force and the displacement is the spring coefficient.
In springs which obey Hooke's Law, the spring coefficient is
substantially constant.
[0026] According to certain illustrative embodiments, the
electrical energy generator includes first and second springs that
obey Hooke's Law. These first and second springs are attached to
opposite ends of the device housing and to opposite ends of the
electromagnetically active mass that is located within the device
housing. Because these springs substantially obey Hooke's Law, the
springs are considered to be harmonic oscillators and can provide a
natural frequency. In certain circumstances, however, it may be
advantageous to utilize springs that possess stiffening spring
characteristics such that at the end of travel, there would be no
need to incorporate any rebound means with the device.
[0027] In certain embodiments, the springs included in the device
comprise coil springs. A coil spring is a type of torsion spring. A
coil spring comprises an elastic material formed into a helix, or
spiral, or spiral helix having two opposite ends. The coil springs
may comprise either compression springs or extension springs.
[0028] A spring pre-load is a load that exists in the spring prior
to deflection of the spring from some initial state. As used
herein, pre-load of a spring refers to the load in the spring in
the unexcited device in which the electromagnetically active mass
is at rest. The device may also include a suitable means for
adjusting the deflection or spring pre-load on the coil springs. A
means of adjusting spring pre-load comprises any component which
introduces or removes a load, tension or compression of an
installed spring, usually in the unexcited device. Introduction or
removal of a load of an installed spring may be done by adjusting
the deflection of the spring. In certain embodiments the means of
adjusting spring pre-load and deflection comprises a movable member
with which the spring to have its pre-load and deflection adjusted
is engaged. In such embodiments, the region of engagement between
the spring and the member is movable with respect to the housing.
In certain embodiments, the moveable member comprises a threaded
member. Threaded members may comprise screws, bolts, and threaded
bushings. In certain embodiments the threaded member is engaged
with a counterpart threaded receiver that is substantially fixed to
or integral to the housing. One illustrative method of moving the
point of engagement between the spring and the threaded member with
respect to the housing is by advancement or retraction of the
threaded member by rotating the threaded member with respect to the
threaded receiver. As the threaded member is rotated, the threaded
member and the region of engagement between the spring and the
member moves helically with respect to the threaded receiver, and
thereby moves helically with respect to the housing. The amount of
movement will be equal to the product of the thread pitch and the
number of rotations made. The amount of change in the load will be
equal to the product of the amount of movement and the spring
coefficient.
[0029] In certain embodiments, the springs comprise a first spring
having a first end engaged with the housing and a second end
engaged with said electromagnetically active mass, and a second
spring having a first end engaged with the housing and a second end
engaged with said electromagnetically active mass. In certain
embodiments, the springs comprise a first spring having a first end
engaged with a first threaded member and a second end engaged with
said electromagnetically active mass, and a second spring having a
first end engaged with a second threaded member and a second end
engaged with said electromagnetically active mass.
[0030] As used in this disclosure, "electromagnetically active"
refers to a mass that is capable of affecting a magnetic field.
Electromagnetically active components include, but are not limited
to, permanent magnets, electromagnets, inductors, and materials
having magnetic permeability. The electrical energy generator may
comprise one or more electromagnetically active components to
affect a desired magnetic field.
[0031] An electromagnetically active mass may be any
electromagnetically active component which also has mass. An
electromagnetically active mass is capable of producing a magnetic
field or bending the flux lines of a magnetic field.
Electromagnetically active masses capable of producing a magnetic
field comprise permanent magnets, electromagnets and the like.
Electromagnetically active masses capable of bending the flux lines
of a magnetic field may also comprise materials having magnetic
permeability. In certain embodiments, the materials having magnetic
permeability are materials which have a high permeability. Without
limitation, materials which have a high permeability comprise iron,
nickel, chromium, and like materials. In certain embodiments, an
electromagnetically active mass may comprise metal, metal alloys,
ceramics, and mixtures thereof.
[0032] The electromagnetically active mass is positioned within the
interior cavity of the housing and is engaged with each of two coil
springs, with each of the coil springs being further engaged with
the housing. The manner of engagement of the springs and mass
allows the electromagnetically active mass to move in a
reciprocating manner with respect to the housing. The
electromagnetically active mass defines a volume which is swept out
by the electromagnetically active mass as it moves. The volume
which is swept out by the electromagnetically active mass as it
moves is at least a portion of the volume of the interior cavity of
the housing.
[0033] The shape of the electromagnetically active mass can vary
greatly, and there is no particular shape to which the
electromagnetically active mass must be limited. In certain
embodiments, the electromagnetically active mass comprises an
axisymmetric shape. In certain embodiments, the electromagnetically
active mass comprises substantially cylindrical shape.
[0034] In certain embodiments, the electromagnetically active mass
comprises at least one through-hole. In certain embodiments the
electromagnetically active mass is a substantially cylindrical
axisymmetric mass comprising a through-hole.
[0035] A guidance means comprises any component that comprises a
portion of the housing, or that is engaged to or integral with, the
housing and has a guidance surface for the electromagnetically
active mass over at least a portion of the path described by the
mass as it moves. In certain embodiments, the material of the
guidance means comprises metal, plastic, glass, composite
materials, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments the
guidance surface of the guidance means comprises a surface coating.
The surface coating may comprise metal, plastic, glass, composite
materials, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments the
guidance means, or the guidance surface of the guidance means, may
comprise PTFE, PEEK, or oil-impregnated bronze. The guidance
surface of the guidance means may substantially coincide with at
least a portion of the surface of the volume swept out by the
electromagnetically active mass as it moves. According to certain
embodiments, the guidance means guides the mass by providing
restorative forces to the mass in directions substantially normal
to the surface of the means in response to contact between the mass
and the means. These restorative forces are referred to as "normal
forces". By providing such restorative forces, the guidance means
impedes motion of the mass in directions normal to the means. In
certain embodiments, the mass may be engaged with the guidance
means during all portions of the motion of the mass. In certain
embodiments, the mass is constrained by the guidance means to
minimize substantially all motion of the mass other than linear
reciprocation, such that motion of the mass is limited to
substantially linear reciprocation. There will exist a coefficient
of friction determined by the material of the guidance surface and
the material of the electromagnetically active mass which contacts
the material of the guidance surface. The product of the
coefficient of friction and the normal forces defines the magnitude
of friction forces between the mass and the means which retard the
motion of the mass. In certain embodiments, the coefficient of
friction is selected to be very low in order to minimize the
magnitude of friction forces.
[0036] In certain embodiments, the guidance surface of the guidance
means comprises the interior surface of the housing. In certain
embodiments, in which the electromagnetically active mass comprises
at least one through-hole, the guidance means comprises a shaft or
rod passing through a through-hole and along which said
electromagnetically active mass moves as it reciprocates.
[0037] The electrical energy generator may further comprises a
means of mitigating motion retardation of the electromagnetically
active mass by the housing atmosphere. The housing atmosphere
comprises a fluid, wherein such fluid may be a gas or a liquid.
Fluids are known to retard the motion of materials through them. In
certain circumstances, the housing atmosphere will retard the
motion of the electromagnetically active mass through the housing
atmosphere.
[0038] One type of retardation of the motion of the
electromagnetically active mass is by viscous effects. Viscous
effects which retard motion appear whenever a body moves through a
fluid having a positive viscosity. One means of mitigating motion
retardation by viscous effects is by rarification or evacuation of
the housing atmosphere. In certain embodiments, the housing
atmosphere comprises a gas at sub-atmospheric pressure, such that
the housing atmosphere is reduced, rarified, or evacuated to the
point that it comprises a substantial vacuum.
[0039] Retardation of the motion of the electromagnetically active
mass may occur by pressure differentials. Pressure differentials
may be created by motion of an object within, and in close
clearance to, a closed housing. In certain embodiments, the
electromagnetically active mass may be engaged in very close
tolerance to a closed housing. One means of mitigating motion
retardation by pressure differentials is by the inclusion of
apertures, flow-paths, flutes, or ducts to permit flow from the
region into which the mass is moving and to the region from which
the mass is moving. In certain embodiments, the interior surface of
the housing may comprise longitudinal flutes to permit flow of the
fluid comprising the housing atmosphere from one region of the
interior cavity to another region of the interior cavity. In
certain embodiments the electromagnetically active mass may
comprise one or more through-holes or flutes which permit flow of
the fluid comprising the housing atmosphere around, across, or
through the mass.
[0040] According to certain embodiments, the electrical energy
generator may further comprise an electromagnetically active shroud
that is engaged with the housing and at least partially covering
the induction coil. In certain embodiments, the electrical energy
generator comprises an electromagnetically active shroud that is
engaged with the housing which at least partially covers said
housing. In certain embodiments the electrical energy generator may
comprise an electromagnetically active shroud that is engaged with
the housing which fully covers said housing. In certain embodiments
the electromagnetically active shroud may comprise a permanent
magnet. In certain embodiments, the electromagnetically active
shroud comprises an unmagnetized material having magnetic
permeability. In embodiments in which the electromagnetically
active mass comprises an unmagnetized material having magnetic
permeability, the device will further comprise an
electromagnetically active shroud which comprises a permanent
magnet. In certain embodiments in which the electromagnetically
active mass comprises a permanent magnet, the device comprises an
electromagnetically active shroud comprising an unmagnetized
material having magnetic permeability.
[0041] The electrical energy generator comprises an
electromagnetically active mass which reciprocates within the
housing. Exciting forces acting on the housing excite the mass
causing it to move within the housing in a reciprocating manner
which is substantially harmonic. Further, the electrical energy
generator comprises components which remove mechanical energy from
the mass when it is in motion, thereby electromagnetically damping
it. Because of these properties, certain embodiments of the
electrical energy generator may be described as a substantially
harmonic damped oscillator. It should be noted that the damping of
the energy from the mass may comprise critically damping, greater
than critically damping or less than critically damping. According
to certain illustrative embodiments, the damping of the energy from
the mass comprises less than critical damping. According to yet
further embodiments, the damping of the energy of the mass may be
variable.
[0042] When a driving force is acting on the electrical energy
generator, according to certain embodiments, the device behaves as
a substantially harmonic driven, damped oscillator. Harmonic
oscillators have a fundamental or natural frequency which is a
function of oscillating mass and spring coefficient. Because the
mass of the electromagnetically active mass is determinable and
because the spring coefficient of the spring is determinable, the
natural frequency of the device is also determinable. The selection
of the mass or spring coefficient or both to adjust the natural
frequency of the device is referred to herein as "tuning". That is,
the natural frequency of the device may be tuned by selection of
the mass or the spring coefficient or both.
[0043] Because the mass, by definition, has inertia, an exciting
force directed to the device along a direction which is not
perpendicular to the axis of reciprocation, causes the housing to
be displaced to a greater extent than the mass is caused to be
displaced. This difference in displacement causes some of the
exciting kinetic energy imparted by the action of the exciting
force acting over said displacement to be absorbed by the
electromagnetically active mass, the springs and the induction
coil.
[0044] Because the electrical energy generator includes an
electromagnetically active mass, a spring, and an induction coil,
when set into motion, the device can behave as a damped vibrating
system and will vibrate until it dissipates the exciting energy.
The natural frequency or frequencies of the harvester can be
predetermined. Without limitation, in certain embodiments, the
electrical energy generator behaves as a substantially harmonic
oscillator having one natural frequency. The level of damping in
the device can be predetermined.
[0045] The certain illustrative embodiments of the device will be
described in further detail with respect to the Figures. It should
be noted that the electrical energy generator should not be limited
to the illustrative embodiments depicted by the Figures.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, the device (110) comprises a housing
(120) which comprises an elongated circular cross-section tube
having first and second ends. The housing (120) comprises an
internal cavity (122) defined by the tube, an interior surface
(124) and an atmosphere (126). The device further comprises a first
spring (130) having a first end and a second end. Spring (130)
comprises an extension coil spring having the first end attached to
the first end portion of the housing (120). The device further
comprises a second spring (132) having a first end and a second
end. Spring (132) comprises an extension coil spring having the
first end attached to the first end portion of the housing (120).
The device (110) further comprises an electromagnetically active
mass (140) engaged with each of springs 130 and 132. The
electromagnetically active mass (140) is moveable within said
housing (120). The electromagnetically active mass (140) moves in a
reciprocating manner along a path constrained by a guidance means
(160), which is, in the embodiment shown, the interior surface
(124) of the housing (120). Movement of electromagnetically active
mass (140) relative to the housing (120) causes motion of said
mass-engaged second end of each spring (130 and 132) with respect
to said housing-engaged first end of each spring (130 and 132) such
that the motion of the electromagnetically active mass (140)
relative to the housing (120) results in deflection of the springs
(130 and 132). The device (110) further comprises an induction coil
(150) that is engaged about the exterior portion of the housing
(120). The device (110) additionally comprises spring deflection
adjustors (136) engaged with first spring (130) and second spring
(132).
[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, the device (210) comprises a housing
(220) which comprises an elongated circular cross-section tube
having a first and second ends. The housing (220) comprises an
internal cavity (222) defined by the tube, an interior surface
(224), an atmosphere substantially similar to the ambient
atmosphere (226), and apertures in the housing which provide
communication between the exterior environment and the interior
cavity (222) of housing (220). The device further comprises a first
spring (230) having a first end and a second end. Spring (230)
comprises a compression coil spring having said first end attached
to the first end portion of the housing (220). The device further
comprises a second spring (232) having a first end and a second
end. Spring (232) comprises a compression coil spring having said
first end attached to the first end portion of the housing (220).
The device (210) further comprises an electromagnetically active
mass (240) engaged with each spring (230 and 232). The
electromagnetically active mass (240) is moveable within said
housing (220). The mass (240) moves in a reciprocating manner along
a path constrained by a guidance means (260) which is, in the
embodiment shown, an elongated rod engaged at either end with
housing (220) and passing through a through-hole (242) in the
electromagnetically active mass (240). Movement of
electromagnetically active mass (240) relative to the housing (220)
causes motion of said mass-engaged second end of each spring (230
and 232) with respect to said housing-engaged first end of each
spring (230 and 232) such that the motion of the mass (240)
relative to the housing (220) results in deflection of the springs
(230 and 232). The harvester (210) further comprises an induction
coil (250) engaged about the exterior surface of the housing
(220).
[0048] In certain embodiments the mechanical energy harvester is
engaged with a worn item or a carried item. Worn items comprise
clothing, such as a hat, belt, shirt, pants, dress, skirt, sweater,
sweatshirt, jacket and the like. Protective gear, includes without
limitation body armor, life vest, personal flotation devices and
the like. Carrying items include without limitation backpacks,
waist-packs, field-packs, medical packs, bags, tool-bags,
book-bags, purses, briefcases, holsters, sheaths and the like.
[0049] In embodiments in which the electrical energy generator is
engaged with a worn item, the worn item is excited by exciting
forces imparted from the wearer, and the electrical energy
generator is excited by exciting forces imparted from the worn
item. The engagement of the electrical energy generator with the
worn item may be firm such that the device is substantially
immobile relative to the worn carrying device; flexible or soft
such that there is a great deal motion of the device relative to
the worn item; or somewhere in between.
[0050] According to certain illustrative embodiments, the
electrical energy generator is incorporated into a backpack. The
backpack includes a pack having a surface defining an interior for
carrying items. The backpack also includes means connected to the
pack, such as straps, for engaging the pack to a person. A backpack
may also include a frame for the pack, said frame may be either
internal or external to the pack.
[0051] Incorporation of the electrical energy generator into a
backpack may take a number of forms. In certain embodiments, the
device may be placed within the interior of the pack of the
backpack. The device may be free to move within the interior of the
pack, or may it may be attached to a portion of the interior of the
pack by a suitable attachment means. Suitable attachment means
comprise elastic straps, hook and loop fastener straps or patches,
screws, bolts, adhesives, clips, clamps, carabineers, or
combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the device is
removably secured within a pocket or pouch of the pack such that,
while secured, it is substantially immovable with respect to the
pack. In another embodiment, the device may be engaged with the
exterior of the pack of the backpack. In such embodiments, the
harvester may be attached to a portion of the exterior of the pack
by any suitable attachment means. In certain embodiments, the
device is permanently secured to the material of the pack such that
it is substantially immovable with respect to the pack. In another
embodiment, the device may be engaged with the frame of the
backpack. In some such embodiments, the device may be attached to
the external surface of the frame by a suitable attachment means.
Alternatively, the device may be attached to the internal surface
of the frame by a suitable attachment means. In certain
embodiments, the backpack frame itself acts as the housing of the
device.
[0052] Without limitation, a electrical energy generator may be
engaged with a backpack such that the device is excited by kinetic
energy imparted through the backpack when the carrier of the
backpack is walking. In this embodiment, some component of a
typical walking stride excites the backpack, which, in turn,
excites the electrical energy generator. In certain embodiments,
energy may be converted by the device which is developed as forces
acting over a vertical displacement of the backpack.
[0053] Without limitation, a electrical energy generator may be a
designed for hand-held usage such that the device harvester can be
excited by shaking it by hand.
[0054] For purposes of illustration and without limitation, a
common excitation frequency for walking is about 2 Hz. This
information may be used to predetermine an appropriate natural
frequency of the electrical energy generator. Depending upon the
embodiment and desired operational characteristics, it may be
desirable to have one or more of the natural frequencies of the
device similar to one or more of the operational frequencies of the
source of the excitation kinetic energy; or dissimilar to one or
more of the expected operational frequencies of the source of the
excitation kinetic energy by some predetermined amount. In certain
embodiments, one natural frequency of the device is predetermined
to correspond to the steady state harmonic motion of the gait of
the human or animal by which it is carried or worn.
[0055] While the electrical energy generator has been described in
connection with various illustrative embodiments, as shown in the
Figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may
be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described
embodiments for performing the same functions. Therefore, the
electrical energy generator should not be limited to any single
embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance
with the recitation of the appended claims.
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