A magnetostrictive alternator configured to convert pressure waves into electrical energy is provided. It should be appreciated that the magnetostrictive alternator may be combined in some embodiments with a Stirling engine to produce electrical power. The Stirling engine creates the oscillating pressure wave and the magnetostrictive alternator converts the pressure wave into electricity. In some embodiments, the magnetostrictive alternator may include aerogel material and magnetostrictive material. The aerogel material may be configured to convert a higher amplitude pressure wave into a lower amplitude pressure wave. The magnetostrictive material may be configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field when the magnetostrictive material is compressed by the lower amplitude pressure wave.

A magnetic field sensor component, comprising: a piezoelectric portion; a plate portion comprising (i) a drive electrode superposed over the piezoelectric portion and in mechanical communication with the piezoelectric portion, the drive electrode comprising a magnetostrictive material and (ii) a sense electrode superposed over the piezoelectric portion and in mechanical communication with the piezoelectric portion, the sense electrode comprising a magnetostrictive material; and a tether portion extending from the plate portion, and the magnetostrictive drive electrode being configured to be electrically driven so as to effect a strain modulation of the magnetostrictive drive electrode that upconverts a received magnetic field to a resonance band of the magnetostrictive drive electrode. A method, comprising operating a magnetic field sensor component according to the present disclosure.

A MEMS structure includes a planar substrate, a support body coupled to the planar substrate, a fixed electrode coupled to the planar substrate and a moveable portion. The movable portion is spaced from and faces the fixed electrode. The movable electrode includes a movable weight and an intermediate frame surrounding an outer edge of the movable weight. A plurality of elastic supports connect the movable weight to the intermediate frame. The elastic supports are elastically deformable in a first direction extending parallel to the plane of the substrate such that the movable weight can move in the first direction. At least one torsion bar pivotally connects one end of the intermediate frame to the support body so as to allow the intermediate frame, and with it the movable weight, to pivot around an axis which extends parallel to the plane of the substrate and perpendicular to the first direction.

Provided is a power generator 1. The power generator includes two magnetostrictive rods 2 arranged side by side and formed on a magnetostrictive material, coils 3 respectively wound around the magnetostrictive rods 2 and a beam member 73 having a function of generating stress in the two magnetostrictive rods 2. The power generator 1 is configured so that elastic energy stored in the beam member 73 is larger than elastic energy stored in each of the magnetostrictive rods 2 when tip end portions of the two magnetostrictive rods 2 and the beam member 73 are displaced with respect to base end portions of the two magnetostrictive rods 2 and the beam member 73 to deform the two magnetostrictive rods 2 and the beam member 73.

A power generation element includes a first magnetostrictive plate and a second magnetostrictive plate each including a magnetostrictive material, a magnet unit including a magnet fixed to at least one of the first magnetostrictive plate or the second magnetostrictive plate, and a coil containing at least part of the first magnetostrictive plate and the second magnetostrictive plate therein, wherein the first magnetostrictive plate and the second magnetostrictive plate are laid out in such a manner that stresses applied to the first magnetostrictive plate and the second magnetostrictive plate are in opposite directions to each other, and the magnet unit is disposed in such a manner that magnetic fields applied to the first magnetostrictive plate and the second magnetostrictive plate are in opposite directions to each other.

Provided is a power generator 1. The power generator includes two magnetostrictive rods 2 arranged side by side and formed of a magnetostrictive material; coils 3 wound around the magnetostrictive rods 2; and a beam member 73 having a function of generating stress in each of the magnetostrictive rods 2. Each of the magnetostrictive rods 2 has one end portion and the other end portion. The power generator 1 is configured to generate a voltage in the coils 3 due to variation of density of lines of magnetic force when the other end portion of each of the magnetostrictive rods 2 is displaced with respect to the one end portion of each of the magnetostrictive rods 2 in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the magnetostrictive rods 2 to expand and contract each of the magnetostrictive rods 2. Further, in the power generator 1, a loss coefficient of a constituent material of the beam member 73 is smaller than a loss coefficient of the magnetostrictive material of each of the magnetostrictive rods 2.

A device generates electrical energy from mechanical motion in a downhole environment. The device includes a magnetostrictive element and an electrically conductive coil. The magnetostrictive element has a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are coupled between two connectors. The magnetostrictive element is configured to experience axial strain in response to radial movement of at least one of the connectors relative to the other connector. The electrically conductive coil is disposed in proximity to the magnetostrictive element. The coil is configured to generate an electrical current in response to a change in flux density of the magnetostrictive element.

A device generates electrical energy from mechanical motion in a downhole environment. The device includes a magnetostrictive element and an electrically conductive coil. The magnetostrictive element has a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are coupled between a rotor and a bearing. The magnetostrictive element is configured to experience axial strain in response to radial movement of at least one of the rotor or the bearing with reference to the other. The electrically conductive coil is disposed in proximity to the magnetostrictive element. The coil is configured to generate an electrical current in response to a change in flux density of the magnetostrictive element.

A pressure sensor device comprises a support substrate including a thin film area which is bendable by a pressure, a sensor film comprising a first electrode provided on the thin film area, a second electrode provided on the first electrode, a reference layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, a free layer provided between the reference layer and the first electrode or between the reference layer and the second electrode, a spacer layer provided between the reference layer and the free layer, a shield provided on a side of the support substrate.

A power generation element of inverse magnetostrictive type has: a first power generation part including a first magnetostrictive rod made of magnetostrictive material, a first coil wound around the first magnetostrictive rod, and a first magnetic rod having appropriate rigidity and a shape to apply a uniform compressive force or tensile force to the first magnetostrictive rod and being placed in parallel with the first magnetostrictive rod; a frame made of magnetic material bent in a substantially U shape, whose one end and other end across the bent location constitute a fixed end and free end, respectively; and a magnet. The power generation element can suppress the loss of kinetic energy while vibrating so that vibration will last long. The power generation element can be used in an actuator.