Meta-Material Vibration Energy Harvester

a technology of vibration energy harvester and metal material, which is applied in the direction of dynamo-electric machines, dynamo-electric components, electrical apparatus, etc., can solve the problems of increasing noise and microclimate change, limited energy harvesting potential, and limited efficiency of existing technologies, and achieves the effect of strengthening the viscous damper

US20130313837A1Inactive Publication Date: 2013-11-28PATEL RAJESH +1
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2013-11-28
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A meta-material vibration energy harvester includes a housing element encapsulating a multiplicity of oscillators capable of harvesting a significant percentage of the total mechanical energy diffusely distributed throughout the vibrating structure, the harvester design resulting in a rapid transfer of mechanical energy entering it via the housing element from the element to the oscillators wherein the energy remains trapped while accumulating over an extended time, the percentage of energy transfer primarily depending on the ratios of the sum of the oscillator masses to the sum of the housing mass and of the measure of the mass of the vibrating structure and of the width of the band spanned by the oscillators to its center frequency, both the relevant measure of the vibrating structure mass and the values of the mass and frequency ratios that maximize the percentage of internal energy transfer depending on the harvesting scenerio.
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Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a vibration energy harvester comprised of a large number of oscillators encapsulated in a housing element, combined with mechanical / electrical energy converters, one for each oscillator, and the internal circuitry for collecting the individual electric currents and outputting their total, via the housing element. The invention is applicable to virtually all structures and vibration fields. Moreover, when used in multiplicity, the invention is capable of harvesting a significant percentage of the total available energy in a vibrating structure.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In search of the solution to the world energy crisis, researchers and industry have focused their efforts on harnessing energy from alternative energy sources, most notably the sun, wind, and ocean waves.

[0003] Technologies for harvesting energy from these sources are in their infancy, though significant progress has been made. However, the efficiency of existi...

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Embodiment Construction

[0042]The novelty of the concept of meta-material devices, as described in the summary description, and the paucity of studies reported in the literature, which directly apply to the invention necessitates a highly technical detailed description. The description is presented in stages, focusing first on the energetics of a “mechanical” meta-material (MMM) device that forms the genesis of the invention, and, second, on the energetics of a “meta-material mechanical / electrical energy converter” (MMMEEC) in the context of an experiment scenario that has a direct relation to energy harvesting. When joined to a VS, which is the source of input energy to the MMMEEC, the device is a MMVEH. Issues related to the geometry and composition of the VS and to the coherence of the vibration field and the role of these in determining an effective MMVEH design are addressed at this point in the detailed description.

[0043]Additional sections in the detailed description describe different type attachme...