A micro power generator is provided, including a cam structure, an electromagnetic unit, a first clutch, and a first energy converting unit. The electromagnetic unit is partially disposed in the cam structure, which includes a central shaft and a first shaft gear. The first shaft gear is rotated with the central shaft.

The first clutch is telescoped on the central shaft, and rotated with the first shaft gear. The first energy converting unit is connected to the first shaft gear of the electromagnetic unit. In an energy-storing state, the first clutch is connected to the cam structure and is moved with the cam structure and the first shaft gear to move the first energy converting unit and to store the kinetic energy of the cam structure to the first energy converting unit. In a power-generating state, the first clutch is separated from the cam structure.

A micro power generator is provided, including a cam structure, an electromagnetic unit, a first clutch, and a first energy converting unit. The electromagnetic unit is partially disposed in the cam structure, which includes a central shaft and a first shaft gear. The first shaft gear is rotated with the central shaft.

The first clutch is telescoped on the central shaft, and rotated with the first shaft gear. The first energy converting unit is connected to the first shaft gear of the electromagnetic unit. In an energy-storing state, the first clutch is connected to the cam structure and is moved with the cam structure and the first shaft gear to move the first energy converting unit and to store the kinetic energy of the cam structure to the first energy converting unit. In a power-generating state, the first clutch is separated from the cam structure.

The present application relates to the field of energy recovery and in particular to the use of shape memory alloys (SMA) for same. An energy recovery device is provided which comprises a one way drive mechanism for incrementally winding a spring. An SMA engine comprising a length of SMA material is fixed at a first end and connected at a second end to the one way drive mechanism. The SMA engine is housed in an immersion chamber and adapted to be sequentially filled with fluid to allow heating and/or cooling of the SMA engine to enable high frequency contractions and expansion. An output transmission is provided which is coupled to and driven by the spring. In this manner, repeated contractions of the SMA material incrementally wind the spring to store energy. The spring is restrained by a release mechanism which may be activated to allow the spring to drive an output transmission.

The present application relates to the field of energy recovery and in particular to the use of shape memory alloys (SMA) for same. An energy recovery device is provided which comprises a one way drive mechanism for incrementally winding a spring. An SMA engine comprising a length of SMA material is fixed at a first end and connected at a second end to the one way drive mechanism. The SMA engine is housed in an immersion chamber and adapted to be sequentially filled with fluid to allow heating and/or cooling of the SMA engine to enable high frequency contractions and expansion. An output transmission is provided which is coupled to and driven by the spring. In this manner, repeated contractions of the SMA material incrementally wind the spring to store energy. The spring is restrained by a release mechanism which may be activated to allow the spring to drive an output transmission.

The subject invention relates to an air spring (1) with a distance measurement sensor (100), an energy transforming unit (200), a first mounting element (10) being adapted for being mounted to a first vehicle portion (2) and a second mounting element (20) being adapted for being mounted to a second vehicle portion (3). An air volume (50) is arranged between the first mounting element and the second mounting element. The energy transforming unit is adapted to transform a transition of the air spring from a first state (s1) of the air spring to a second state (s2) of the air spring into electrical energy and to provide the generated electrical energy to the distance measurement sensor. The energy transforming unit is arranged in the air volume (50) of the air spring.

The subject invention relates to an air spring (1) with a distance measurement sensor (100), an energy transforming unit (200), a first mounting element (10) being adapted for being mounted to a first vehicle portion (2) and a second mounting element (20) being adapted for being mounted to a second vehicle portion (3). An air volume (50) is arranged between the first mounting element and the second mounting element. The energy transforming unit is adapted to transform a transition of the air spring from a first state (s1) of the air spring to a second state (s2) of the air spring into electrical energy and to provide the generated electrical energy to the distance measurement sensor. The energy transforming unit is arranged in the air volume (50) of the air spring.

Systems and methods for operating flight control surfaces are provided. One system includes a control device having a two piece shaft including a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion, a spline key detachably coupling the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, and a crankshaft operatively coupling the two piece shaft and a flight control surface. The control device further includes a driving mechanism coupled to the spline key and operable to move the spline key to engage and disengage the first and second shaft portions, wherein the first and second shaft portions are disengaged when a failure to the flight control surface is detected, causing the second shaft portion to drive the flight control surface to a safe position.

Nonlinear spring. In one embodiment, the spring includes two opposed curved surfaces curving away from one another. A flexible cantilever member is disposed between the two opposed curved surfaces and a mass is attached to a free end of the cantilever member wherein the flexible cantilever member wraps around one of the curved surfaces as the cantilever member deflects to form a nonlinear spring. Energy harvesting devices and a load cell are also disclosed.

Nonlinear spring. In one embodiment, the spring includes two opposed curved surfaces curving away from one another. A flexible cantilever member is disposed between the two opposed curved surfaces and a mass is attached to a free end of the cantilever member wherein the flexible cantilever member wraps around one of the curved surfaces as the cantilever member deflects to form a nonlinear spring. Energy harvesting devices and a load cell are also disclosed.

An energy storage apparatus for storing energy transmitted by a power transmission line includes an elastically deformable component and an actuator-generator. The actuator-generator is coupled to the elastically deformable component such that both mechanical and electrical actuation of the actuator-generator causes a generation of electrical energy by the actuator-generator via a release of tension in the elastically deformable component.