H02N2/186

POWER-GENERATING MAGNETOSTRICTIVE ELEMENT AND MAGNETOSTRICTIVE POWER GENERATION DEVICE

Task of the present invention is to provide a power-generating magnetostrictive element and a magnetostrictive power generation device equipped with the same, which are capable of achieving the same or a greater magnetostrictive power generation amount compared to conventional technology while employing materials lower in cost compared to conventional magnetostrictive materials. The task is achieved by providing a magnetostrictive element comprising a magnetostrictive part formed of an electromagnetic metal sheet. The present invention also provides a power-generating magnetostrictive element and a power-generating magnetostrictive element having high voltage with little variation. The task is achieved by providing a magnetostrictive element comprising a magnetostrictive part formed from a magnetostrictive material and a stress control part formed from an elastic material, the materials each having a Young's modulus and a sheet thickness simultaneously satisfying specific relationships.

Condition monitoring device having a power switch between an integrated energy harvester and a method for operating said power switch

Condition monitoring device including a condition monitoring sensor configured to acquire vibration signals produced by the system and an integrated power supply having an energy harvester for providing power energy to the condition monitoring sensor and having an electromagnetic coil and a permanent magnet. The integrated power supply includes a system power switch between the energy harvester and the condition monitoring sensor and configured to be switched between at least a first high impedance position providing power energy of the energy harvester to the sensor and a second low impedance position where no power is transmitted to the sensor. Also, a system for restricting movement of the energy harvester configured to be connected across the electromagnetic coil in the low impedance passive position of the system power switch.

Energy harvesting with a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)
11581827 · 2023-02-14 · ·

Apparatuses and method are described to create an energy harvesting microstructure, referred to herein as a transduction micro-electro mechanical system (T-MEMS). A T-MEMS includes a substrate, a first buckled membrane, the first buckled membrane has a buckling axis and is connected to the substrate. The first buckled membrane further includes a transduction material, a first conductor, the first conductor is applied to a first area of the transduction material; and a second conductor, the second conductor is applied to a second area of the transduction material, wherein electrical charge is harvested from the transduction material when the first buckled membrane is translated along the buckling axis.

Implantable wireless acoustic stimulators with high energy conversion efficiencies

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.

SELF-POWERED WEIGH-IN-MOTION SYSTEM

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.

Power Generating and Gait Assisting Footwear Article
20230225448 · 2023-07-20 ·

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.

Measurement System, Diagnostic System, and Detection Switch

A measurement system includes: a vibration-driven energy harvesting unit that generates electric power from sound, vibration, or displacement; a power supply controller that controls an amount of power consumption of a power supply based on the electric power generated by the vibration-driven energy harvesting unit; a detector that is driven by electric power supplied by the power supply controller and detects an environment state quantity; and a transmitter that is driven by electric power supplied by the power supply controller and transmits information regarding the environment state quantity detected by the detector.

Strain-Relieved Compliant Structures for Flextensional Transduction
20230223871 · 2023-07-13 ·

A frame for an energy transducer device for generating electrical current, the frame being a single monolithic structure including a pressure receiver unit, a first arm and a second arm joined to respective lateral sides of the pressure receiver unit, a first attachment unit joined to the second end of the first arm, and a second attachment unit joined to the second end of the second arm. The frame is configured to be joined to a current generating unit, such that the first attachment unit is joined to a first edge of the current generating unit while the second attachment unit is joined to second edge of the current generating element. An external force applied at the pressure receiver unit of the frame causes the frame to deform and thereby change the mechanical strain of the current generating element.

Metamaterial-based substrate for piezoelectric energy harvesters

A metamaterial-based substrate (meta-substrate) for piezoelectric energy harvesters. The design of the meta-substrate combines kirigami and auxetic topologies to create a high-performance platform including preferable mechanical properties of both metamaterial morphable structures. The creative design of the meta-substrate can improve strain-induced vibration applications in structural health monitoring, internet-of-things systems, micro-electromechanical systems, wireless sensor networks, vibration energy harvesters, and other applications whose efficiency is dependent on their deformation performance. The meta-substrate energy harvesting device includes a meta-material substrate comprising an auxetic frame having two kirigami cuts and a piezoelectric element adhered to the auxetic frame by means of a thin layer of elastic glue.

Locking isolator and method of isolating a system

A locking isolator includes one or more joints. The one or more joints are configured to transition between a clearance fit state and an interference fit state in response to a change in temperature. The locking isolator includes a dampener. The dampener is configured to attenuate transmission of vibration through the one or more joints when the one or more joints are in the clearance fit state.