An intelligent energy harvesting device, a voltage signal application system, and an energy management module thereof are disclosed. The intelligent energy harvesting device is used to transfer a signal to an application device. The intelligent energy harvesting device includes a power generation module, a battery and an energy management module. The power generation module generates a first voltage signal. The battery generates a second voltage signal. The energy management module is electrically connected to the power generation module and the battery for enabling the first voltage signal output from the power generation module to be used as a power signal to provide the application device, or enabling the first voltage signal output from the power generation module and the second voltage signal output from the battery collectively serves as the power signal to provide the application device.

An intelligent energy harvesting device, a voltage signal application system, and an energy management module thereof are disclosed. The intelligent energy harvesting device is used to transfer a signal to an application device. The intelligent energy harvesting device includes a power generation module, a battery and an energy management module. The power generation module generates a first voltage signal. The battery generates a second voltage signal. The energy management module is electrically connected to the power generation module and the battery for enabling the first voltage signal output from the power generation module to be used as a power signal to provide the application device, or enabling the first voltage signal output from the power generation module and the second voltage signal output from the battery collectively serves as the power signal to provide the application device.

A controller-transmitter transmits acoustic energy through the body to an implanted acoustic receiver-stimulator. The receiver-stimulator converts the acoustic energy into electrical energy and delivers the electrical energy to tissue using an electrode assembly. The receiver-stimulator limits the output voltage delivered to the tissue to a predetermined maximum output voltage. In the presence of interfering acoustic energy sources output voltages are thereby limited prior to being delivered to the tissue.

Systems and methods for an energy harvester proximate to a rotatable component of a vehicle's wheel are disclosed. In some embodiments, an energy harvester system includes: a plurality of energy harvesting components configured to be coupled to a rotatable component in a ring formation along a circumference of the rotatable component, wherein each of the plurality of energy harvesting components includes: a substrate configured to be attached to a surface of the rotatable component; a piezoelectric component coupled to a surface of the substrate, wherein the piezoelectric component is configured to deform in response to a mechanical strain imparted on the piezoelectric component as the rotatable component rotates and generate an electric signal; and an interconnect coupled to the piezoelectric components and configured to conduct the electric signal from the piezoelectric components to a device coupled to the rotatable component.

Systems and methods for an energy harvester proximate to a rotatable component of a vehicle's wheel are disclosed. In some embodiments, an energy harvester system includes: a plurality of energy harvesting components configured to be coupled to a rotatable component in a ring formation along a circumference of the rotatable component, wherein each of the plurality of energy harvesting components includes: a substrate configured to be attached to a surface of the rotatable component; a piezoelectric component coupled to a surface of the substrate, wherein the piezoelectric component is configured to deform in response to a mechanical strain imparted on the piezoelectric component as the rotatable component rotates and generate an electric signal; and an interconnect coupled to the piezoelectric components and configured to conduct the electric signal from the piezoelectric components to a device coupled to the rotatable component.

A power generating element includes a magnetostrictive plate fixed at one end in a longitudinal direction and containing a magnetostrictive material, a coil housing at least part of the magnetostrictive plate, a magnetic-field generating portion disposed on the magnetostrictive plate and generating a magnetic field, a yoke containing a ferromagnetic material, and a magnetic-field adjusting portion containing a ferromagnetic material. The yoke is disposed outside the coil, and at least part of the yoke is fixed to the magnetostrictive plate. The magnetic-field adjusting portion is housed in part of the coil and is disposed in a vicinity of a surface of the magnetostrictive plate opposite to a surface to which the magnetic-field generating portion is fixed.

A power generating element includes a magnetostrictive plate fixed at one end in a longitudinal direction and containing a magnetostrictive material, a coil housing at least part of the magnetostrictive plate, a magnetic-field generating portion disposed on the magnetostrictive plate and generating a magnetic field, a yoke containing a ferromagnetic material, and a magnetic-field adjusting portion containing a ferromagnetic material. The yoke is disposed outside the coil, and at least part of the yoke is fixed to the magnetostrictive plate. The magnetic-field adjusting portion is housed in part of the coil and is disposed in a vicinity of a surface of the magnetostrictive plate opposite to a surface to which the magnetic-field generating portion is fixed.

Aspects of self-powered weigh-in-motion systems and methods that utilize piezoelectric components for sensing load as well as powering data acquisition and analysis components. In one example, the weigh-in-motion system includes a number of piezoelectric stacks, each stack including a number of piezoelectric elements. Each stack includes one or more top or upper piezoelectric element that provides vehicle sensing data. Each stack also includes a set of piezoelectric elements used for energy harvesting. The sensing piezoelectric elements are connected to a data input of a microcontroller for vehicle classification, while the energy harvesting piezoelectric elements are connected to a power input of the microcontroller.

The present invention provides a device for improving energy economy and wearing comfort of a power generating, gait assisting footwear article while maintaining normal gait pattern during human locomotion. The device includes a motion conversion mechanism to convert linear reciprocating moment exerted on the device during heel strike/up into a series of rotations; a rotation acceleration module to increase the speed of rotations before being transformed into electric current by a generator. The device also includes a power management module and energy storage element(s) for energy storage and power supply to the footwear article or external electronics.

According to one embodiment, a power control circuit includes a converter, a signal generating circuit, an estimation unit, and a controller. The converter includes a switching circuit and is configured to transform an output voltage from a power generator. The signal generating circuit is configured to transmit a signal to the switching circuit. The estimation unit is configured to determine a switching operation condition based on vibration information indicative of a vibration applied to the power generator. The controller is configured to control an operation of the switching circuit based on the determined switching operation condition.