CONVERSION OF VIBRATIONAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY IN A VIBRATION COMPRESSION MACHINE

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to converting vibration energy to electrical energy in a vibratory compaction machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] Surface compaction machines are used to compact a variety of substrates including soil, asphalt, or other materials. Surface compaction machines are provided with one or more compacting surfaces for this purpose. For example, a surface compaction machine, such as a roller compactor, may be provided with one or more cylindrical drums that provide compacting surfaces for compacting substrates.

[0003] Roller compactors use the weight of the compactor applied through rolling drums to compress a surface of the substrate being rolled. In addition, one or more of the drums of some roller compactors may be vibrated by a vibration system to induce additional mechanical compaction of the substrate being rolled. The vibration system of these vibratory compaction machines can include an eccentric vibration system that includes an eccentric mass that is rotated to generate a vibration force which increases the compacting force exerted by the drum.

[0004] Known vibratory compaction machines typically produce both horizontal and vertical vibration energy. While the vertical vibration energy is used to induce mechanical compaction under the vibratory compaction machines, the horizontal vibration energy does not contribute to the compaction function. In addition, horizontal vibration energy can be detrimental to the vibratory compaction machine, causing fatigue and damage to the machine, and may also create excessive noise.

[0005] United States patent application US2010215434 discloses according to its abstract a system and method for sensing surface compaction effected by a compactor machine of the type having a vibrating compacting roller, and providing a sensor signal indicating sensed surface compaction to a control mounted on the compactor machine, includes a sensor for sensing compaction and providing a signal indicating sensed surface compaction. The sensor is mounted on the compacting roller support of the compactor machine. The system includes a vibration-to-electric energy converter, mounted with the sensor on the compacting roller support and subjected to vibration. The converter converts the vibration energy to electric energy which may be supplied to the sensor and to a transmitter. The transmitter is powered by the electric energy from said vibration-to-electric energy converter and transmits the sensor signal to a receiver on the machine. The receiver provides the sensor signal to a control for the machine.

[0006] Chinese patent application CN202165506U discloses according to its abstract a power generation shock absorber, which comprises a shock absorbing core rod, a shock absorbing cylinder barrel and a shock absorbing spring. The shock absorbing core rod, the shock absorbing cylinder barrel and the shock absorbing spring are sleeved together. An electromagnetic power generation device and a mechanical power generation device are connected onto the shock absorbing cylinder barrel. A generator is arranged outside the shock absorbing cylinder barrel. The mechanical power generation device is in transmission connection with the generator. The shock absorbing core rod can generate electricity when moving upwards and downwards, so power produced by up-and-down movement caused by thrashing in running of vehicles is fully recycled to generate electricity to supplement electric energy consumed in running of the vehicles. Therefore, energy is saved.

[0007] Chinese patent application CN201236776Y discloses according to its abstract a rack-type damping and power generating device relating to a mechanical damping and vibration isolating device, in particular to a damping device of a transportation device, which belongs to the field for the automobile industry. The damping and power generating device adopts the structure that a rack is connected in the casing of a vibration damper with a sliding pair, a damping spring actuates on the rack, the rack is meshed with a driving gear, the driving gear is driven and connected with a power generator, and the top end of the rack is fixedly connected with a connecting rod. The structure is simple, the installment is easy, the vibration energy can be converted into the electrical energy only if replacing the original spring damping absorber, and the battery can be charged with electricity through the generated alternate current after rectification, thereby saving the energy and baffling the damping effect of the vehicle.SUMMARY

[0008] According to the invention a vibratory energy converter system according to independent claim 1 is provided. Further embodiments of the invention are represented by the dependent claims.

[0009] Other devices, methods, and systems according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate certain non-limiting embodiments of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a self-propelled roller-type surface compaction machine having vibratory energy converter assemblies for converting unwanted horizontal vibration energy into electrical energy, according to an embodiment; Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the roller drum of Figure 1 showing additional details of the components of the vibration generator subassembly and vibratory energy converter assemblies, according to an embodiment; Figures 3A and 3B illustrate views of another vibratory energy converter assembly similar to the vibratory energy converter assemblies of Figures 1 and 2, according to some embodiments; and Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternative vibratory energy converter assembly suitable for use with the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, according to an embodiment; Figures 5A and 5B illustrate a cross-sectional views of another alternative vibratory energy converter assembly similar to the vibratory energy converter assembly of Figure 3, and that is suitable for use with the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, according to an embodiment; and Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another surface compaction machine having vibratory energy converter assemblies at different positions and orientations, according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a self-propelled roller-type surface compaction machine 10 according to one embodiment. The surface compaction machine 10, which may also be referred to herein as a vibratory compaction machine, includes a body chassis structure 14, and rotatable drums 18 at the front and back of the body chassis structure 14. As shown, the body chassis structure 14 may include a driver station provided with a seat 20 and a steering mechanism 22 (e.g., a steering wheel) to provide driver control of the surface compaction machine 10. Moreover, each drum 18 may be coupled to the body chassis structure 14 using a respective yoke 24, 26. One or both of the drums 18 may be driven by a drive motor (not shown) to propel the surface compaction machine 10. The drums 18 have a cylindrical outer surface that forms a compacting surface for compacting an underlying substrate 30, such as asphalt, gravel, soil, etc. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, however, that other types of surface compaction machines are contemplated, such as a surface compaction machine with a single drum, for example, or other types of surface compaction machines and other equipment that utilize directional vibration energy.

[0012] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one or both of the drums 18 include an eccentric vibration system 32 provided with a shaft 234 and an eccentric mass 235, as shown in Figure 2, that rotate to generate vibration energy. The generated vibration energy is directed generally radially outwardly from an axis of rotation 233 of the shaft. As shown in Figure 2, the eccentric vibration system 32 may be disposed to rotate within a stationary eccentric system housing 236.

[0013] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that to generate vibration, the shaft 234 and eccentric mass 235 are rotated about the axis of rotation 233 that is typically substantially coaxial with an axis of rotation of the drum 18. Since the eccentric mass 235 and shaft 234 have a center of mass that is radially offset from the axis of rotation 233 of the shaft 234, this rotation generates vibrations that are directed in all radial directions 260 from the axis of rotation 233.

[0014] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a component of the vibration energy is directed in vertical radial directions 262 (e.g., along the y-axis) and oscillates sinusoidally. Similarly, a component of the vibration energy is directed in horizontal radial directions 264 (e.g., along the x-axis) and also oscillates sinusoidally (90 degrees out of phase with the vertical component).

[0015] The shaft 234 and eccentric mass 235 typically rotate together at different speeds to produce different vibrational frequencies, as desired. In some embodiments, the eccentric vibration system 32 may produce vibrational frequencies in the range of 1 Hz to 100 Hz. The specific frequencies or frequency ranges may be based on the type of surface compaction machine and / or type of substrate being compacted (e.g., soil, asphalt, etc.), with existing surface compaction machines typically having a lower range of about 15 Hz to 20 Hz.

[0016] Since only the vertical component of the vibration energy contributes to compaction, advantageously, in the present embodiment, vibratory energy converter assemblies 12 are provided to absorb and convert the horizontal components of the vibration energy generated by the eccentric vibration system 32 into electrical energy. In the example of Figure 2, the vibratory energy converter assemblies 12 are coupled to the eccentric system housing 236 so that desirable vibration energy (i.e., that is directed in a vertical radial direction 262 in this example) is transferred to the substrate 30 to aid in compaction. Meanwhile, undesirable vibration energy (i.e., that is directed in a horizontal radial direction 264 in this example) is captured by the vibratory energy converter assemblies 12 for conversion into electrical energy, while reducing undue wear and tear on the machine and / or operator fatigue due to the undesirable vibration energy. For vibration energy that is directed in other directions 266 that have both a vertical component 268 and a horizontal component 270 (i.e., at oblique angles), the desirable vertical component 268 of the vibration energy is transferred to the substrate 30 for compaction, while the undesirable horizontal component 270 of the vibration energy is transferred to the vibratory energy converter assemblies 12 for conversion into electrical energy.

[0017] In this example, the eccentric system housing 236 remains substantially stationary with respect to the body chassis structure of the surface compaction machine, with the drum 18 rotating around the eccentric system housing 236, e.g., via a bearing assembly (not shown) between the eccentric system housing 236 and the drum 18. In this example, each vibratory energy converter assembly 12 is fixedly coupled to the eccentric system housing 236 and remains substantially horizontal with respect to the eccentric vibration system 32 and body chassis structure of the surface compaction machine. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the scale of various components shown in Figure 2 et al. may be modified as desired. For example, the eccentric system housing 236 in this embodiment is illustrated as being relatively large to better illustrate the different directional components of the vibration energy being produced by the eccentric vibration system 32. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that it may be desirable to reduce the size of the eccentric system housing 236, so that the vibratory energy converter assemblies 12 are as close to the vibration source (e.g., the shaft 234 and eccentric mass 235 in this example) as possible.

[0018] Each vibratory energy converter assembly 12 includes a converter housing 242 having a first end 240 coupled to the eccentric system housing 236. The converter housing 242 extends from the eccentric system housing 236 radially away from the eccentric vibration system 32. The converter housing 242 carries an actuator 244 having a translational degree of freedom of movement with respect to the converter housing 242. In this example, the translational degree of freedom of movement is substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to horizontal component 270, so that vibration of the converter housing 242 by the eccentric vibration system 32 and / or other components of the vibratory compaction machine causes movement of the actuator 244 with respect to the converter housing 242 in a horizontal movement direction 252 that is substantially parallel to horizontal component 270. As will be discussed in greater detail below, a generator assembly converts the movement of the actuator 244 caused by the mechanical vibratory energy of the horizontal component 270 into electrical energy.

[0019] In this embodiment, resilient elements 246, 248 may mechanically connect the actuator 244 to the converter housing 242. In this example, a first resilient element 246 includes a first portion 246A that is fixedly attached proximate to the first end 240 of the converter housing 242 and a second portion 246B that includes a degree of freedom of movement relative to the converter housing 242, and that is proximate to the actuator 244. The second portion 246B may be fixedly coupled to the actuator 244 in some embodiments, and may operate to bias the actuator 244 within the converter housing 242 in some embodiments.

[0020] In this embodiment, a second resilient element 248 includes a first portion 248A that is fixedly attached proximate to the second end 241 of the converter housing 242 and a second portion 248B that includes a degree of freedom of movement relative to the converter housing 242, and that is proximate to the actuator 244 opposite the second portion 246B of the first resilient element 246. Similar to the first resilient element 246, the second portion 248B of the second resilient element 248 may be fixedly coupled to the actuator 244 in some embodiments, and may operate to bias the actuator 244 within the converter housing 242 in some embodiments. In this embodiment, for example, the first resilient element 246 and second resilient element 248 are biasing elements (e.g., springs), which bias the actuator 244 toward a neutral position 250 and which allow the actuator to oscillate in a horizontal movement direction 252, which is substantially parallel to the horizontal radial direction 264 discussed above, within the converter housing 242.

[0021] In this example, the converter housing 242 also includes a guide rod 254 extending substantially parallel to the horizontal movement direction 252. A ring bearing 256 is coupled to the actuator 244 and surrounds the guide rod 254 to prevent rotation of the actuator 244 as the actuator 244 travels in the horizontal movement direction 252. In this example, the actuator 244 is a linear actuator that does not convert rotational energy into electrical energy. Thus, by preventing vibratory energy from causing rotation of the actuator 244, additional vibratory energy is available for causing linear movement of the actuator 244 for conversion into electrical energy.

[0022] As discussed above, the vibratory energy converter assembly 12 may remain substantially stationary with respect to the body chassis structure of the surface compaction machine, with the horizontal movement direction 252 for each vibratory energy converter assembly 12 remaining substantially horizontal with respect to the eccentric vibration system 32 and body chassis structure of the surface compaction machine, so that movement of the actuator 244 captures the undesirable (i.e., horizontal) components of the vibration without interfering with the desirable (i.e. vertical) components. As shown at 237 in Figure 2, in some embodiments, the eccentric system housing 236 may be selectively rotatable with respect to the eccentric vibration system 32, or vice versa, to reorient an angle of the vibratory energy converter assembly 12. This selective rotation may maintain the vibratory energy converter assembly 12 as a predetermined angle with respect to the body chassis structure in response to a change in angle of the body chassis structure, or may re-orient the vibratory energy converter assembly 12 to a different predetermined angle with respect to the body chassis structure, as desired. For example, the compaction mechanism could be reoriented to compact at a non-vertical angle (e.g., on a hill or incline) by selectively rotating the vibratory energy converter assembly 12 to be substantially parallel to the incline, so that the vibration perpendicular to the incline is allowed to aid in compaction while vibration that does not aid in compaction is absorbed. In another example, the eccentric system housing 236 may be fixedly coupled to the drum 18 and may rotate with the drum 18, with the vibratory energy converter assembly 12 being selectively rotatable about the eccentric system housing 236, via a bearing assembly (not shown) between the vibratory energy converter assembly 12 and the eccentric system housing 236 for example, to maintain a predetermined angle with respect to the body chassis structure or substrate 30.

[0023] Referring now to Figures 3A and 3B, another vibratory energy converter assembly 312 similar to the vibratory energy converter assemblies 12 of Figures 1 and 2 is illustrated, according to some embodiments. The vibratory energy converter assembly 312 includes a converter housing 342 that carries an actuator 344 and that has a first end 340 coupled to an eccentric system housing 336 of an eccentric vibration system and a second end 341 opposite the first end 340. The actuator 344 is coupled between two resilient elements 346, 348 (e.g., springs) that bias the actuator toward a neutral position 350 within the converter housing 342 and that transfer vibration energy received though the eccentric system housing 336 to cause the actuator 344 to move in a horizontal movement direction 352 within the converter housing 342.

[0024] In this example, the actuator 344 includes a generator subassembly 372 that is driven by a drive rod 374 in response to movement of the actuator 344 in the horizontal movement direction 352. The drive rod 374 is fixed within the converter housing 342 and extends substantially parallel to the horizontal movement direction 352. As the actuator 344 moves with respect to the drive rod 374 in the horizontal movement direction 352, a guide rod 354 coupled to the converter housing and a guide rod bearing 356 coupled to the actuator 344 prevent rotation of the actuator 344 with respect to the converter housing 342.

[0025] The drive rod 374 is coupled to a generator 376 within the actuator 244 via a mechanical linkage 378. As shown by Figure 3B, the mechanical linkage 378 may include a ball screw 380 that rotates in response to linear movement of the actuator 344 and / or drive rod 374, and a gear assembly 382 that is driven by the rotation of the ball screw 380 to drive the generator 376 and generate electrical power. The generated electrical power may be stored or may be used to drive other components, for example.

[0026] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other types of generator assemblies may be used as well. In this regard, Figure 4 illustrate a cross-sectional view of another vibratory energy converter assembly 412 suitable for use with the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, according to an embodiment. Similar to the vibratory energy converter assembly 312 of Figures 3A and 3B, the vibratory energy converter assembly 412 of Figure 4 includes a converter housing 442 that carries an actuator 444 and that has a first end 440 coupled to an eccentric system housing 336 of an eccentric vibration system and a second end 441 opposite the first end 440. The actuator 444 is coupled between two resilient elements 446, 448 (e.g., springs) that bias the actuator toward a neutral position 450 within the converter housing 442 and that transfer vibration energy received though the eccentric system housing 436 to cause the actuator 444 to move in a horizontal movement direction 452 within the converter housing 442.

[0027] In this example, the actuator 444 includes a magnetic element 484 and the generator subassembly 472 includes a metallic coil 486 that is fixed with respect to the converter housing 442. In this example, the converter housing 442 is a tube 488 that entirely encloses the actuator 444, with the metallic coil 486 wound within a portion of the tube 488 that surrounds the path of the actuator 444, with an air gap 489 between the metallic coil 486 and the actuator 444. In this example, a guide rod 454 also guides the actuator 444 to prevent the actuator 444 from sagging within the converter housing 442 and / or contacting the metallic coil 486. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, however, that other types of structures may be used to position the metallic coil 486 and guide the actuator 444. As the actuator 444 moves in the horizontal movement direction 452, which is substantially parallel to horizontal component 270, with respect to the converter housing 442, the magnetic element 484 moves through an interior volume defined by the metallic coil 486, and induces an electrical current within the metallic coil 486. The electrical power that is generated by this induced current may be used to drive other components, or may be rectified by power circuitry and stored, for example.

[0028] In another embodiment, Figures 5A and 5B illustrates a vibratory energy converter assembly 512 having a converter housing 542 that carries an actuator 544 and that has a first end 540 coupled to an eccentric system housing 336 of an eccentric vibration system and a second end 541 opposite the first end 540. As shown by Figure 5A, the actuator 544 is coupled between two resilient elements 546, 548 (e.g., springs) that bias the actuator toward a neutral position 550 within the converter housing 542 and that transfer vibration energy received though the eccentric system housing 536 to cause the actuator 544 to move in a horizontal movement direction 552, which is substantially parallel to horizontal component, within the converter housing 542.

[0029] In this embodiment, a magnetic element 584 is fixedly coupled to the converter housing 542 via a pair of rods 590. The magnetic element 584 is fixed with respect to the converter housing 542, and a metallic coil 586 is fixed with respect to the actuator 544, with the metallic coil 586 defining an air gap 589 between the metallic coil 586 and the magnetic element 584. In this example, the magnetic element 584 is suspended within a guide tube 588, with the actuator 544 and resilient elements 546, 548 surrounding the guide tube 588 so that the actuator 544 is supported by the guide tube 588 during horizontal movement of the actuator 544, and so that the air gap 589 is maintained. As shown by Figure 5B, movement of the actuator 544 with respect to the converter housing 542 causes the metallic coil 586 to move with respect to the fixed magnetic element 584, thereby causing relative movement of the magnetic element 584 with respect to the metallic coil 586 the interior volume of the metallic coil 586. The relative movement of the magnetic element 584 within the interior volume of the metallic coil 586 induces an electrical current within the metallic coil 586.

[0030] In general, it may be advantageous to locate vibratory energy converter assemblies as close to the source of vibration as possible, to increase efficiency and / or reduce the amount of unwanted vibration elsewhere in the body chassis structure. In Figure 1, for example, the vibratory energy converter assemblies 12 are coupled to the eccentric vibration system 32, which is the primary source of sustained vibration in the surface compaction machine 10, but those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that similar vibratory energy converter assemblies may be positioned anywhere in or on the surface compaction machine 10, as desired. In this regard, Figure 6 illustrates another surface compaction machine 610, similar to the surface compaction machine 10 of Figure 1, having vibratory energy converter assemblies 612, 613 at different positions and orientations.

[0031] In this embodiment, vibratory energy converter assemblies 612 are located on the body chassis structure 14 relatively close to the eccentric vibration system 32 and are oriented generally horizontally, to absorb unwanted horizontal vibration from the eccentric vibration systems 32. The roller compaction machine 610 in this embodiment also includes a smaller vibratory energy converter assembly 613 positioned and oriented near the seat 20 of the surface compaction machine 610, to reduce vibration in the seat 20 and to convert unwanted vibration into electrical energy. Because the sustained vibrations caused by the eccentric vibration system 32 in this embodiment may be significantly smaller within the body chassis structure 14, the applications for the different vibratory energy converter assemblies 612, 613 may vary based on the amount of vibratory energy being converted. For example, the relatively small amounts of electrical energy generated by the vibratory energy converter assemblies 612, 613 may be used to power low-energy devices or components of the surface compaction machine 610, such as microelectronics and / or self-powered sensors (not shown), for example.

[0032] Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that different types of vehicles may experience different types of vibration, which may change the optimal positions and orientations for the vibratory energy converter assemblies. For example, a vehicle that is designed to move over rough terrain (not shown) may experience much larger vibrations in its body chassis structure than the vibrations in the body chassis structure 14 of the roller compactor machines 10, 610 of Figures 1 and 6. In these and other embodiments, the locations and orientations of vibratory energy converter assemblies on the vehicle may be optimized based on determining the locations and orientations of maximum vibration within the vehicle.

[0033] When an element is referred to as being "connected", "coupled", "responsive", "mounted", or variants thereof to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled, responsive, or mounted to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected", "directly coupled", "directly responsive", "directly mounted" or variants thereof to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and / or clarity. The term "and / or" and its abbreviation " / " include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0034] It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements / operations, these elements / operations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element / operation from another element / operation. Thus, a first element / operation in some embodiments could be termed a second element / operation in other embodiments without departing from the teachings of present inventive concepts. The same reference numerals or the same reference designators denote the same or similar elements throughout the specification.

[0035] As used herein, the terms "comprise", "comprising", "comprises", "include", "including", "includes", "have", "has", "having", or variants thereof are openended, and include one or more stated features, integers, elements, steps, components or functions but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof. Furthermore, as used herein, the common abbreviation "e.g.", which derives from the Latin phrase "exempli gratia," may be used to introduce or specify a general example or examples of a previously mentioned item, and is not intended to be limiting of such item. The common abbreviation "i.e.", which derives from the Latin phrase "id est," may be used to specify a particular item from a more general recitation.

[0036] Persons skilled in the art will recognize that certain elements of the above-described embodiments may variously be combined or eliminated to create further without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be determined from the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vibratory energy converter system comprising a vibratory energy converter assembly (12) for a vibratory compaction machine, a stationary eccentric system housing (236) and an eccentric vibration system (32) of the vibratory compaction machine, the stationary eccentric system housing (236) being configured to be coupled to the eccentric vibration system (32), the vibratory energy converter assembly comprising: a converter housing (242); an actuator (244) that is carried by the converter housing (242) and that comprises a translational degree of freedom of movement with respect to the converter housing (242), wherein vibration of the stationary eccentric system housing (242) by the vibratory compaction machine causes movement of the actuator (244) with respect to the converter housing (242) in a first direction (252); and a generator subassembly (372) coupled to the actuator to convert mechanical vibratory energy of the movement of the actuator into electrical energy, characterized by the converter housing (242) having a first end (240) coupled to the stationary eccentric system (236) housing, the converter housing (242) extending from the eccentric system housing (236) radially away from the eccentric vibration system (32)2. The vibratory energy converter system of claim 1, the vibratory energy converter assembly further comprising a first resilient element (246) comprising a first portion (246A) that is fixedly attached relative to the converter housing and a second portion (246B) attached to the actuator that comprises the translational degree of freedom of movement with respect to the converter housing.

3. The vibratory energy converter system of claim 2, the vibratory energy converter assembly comprising a second resilient element (248) comprising a first portion (248A) that is fixedly attached relative to the converter housing and a second portion (248B) attached to the actuator that comprises the translational degree of freedom of movement with respect to the converter housing, wherein the first portion of the first resilient element is coupled to a first end (240) of the converter housing, and wherein the first portion of the second resilient element is coupled to a second end (241) of the converter housing opposite the first end.

4. The vibratory energy converter system of claim 3, wherein the first resilient element comprises a first spring, and wherein the second resilient element comprises a second spring.

5. The vibratory energy converter system of claim 1, wherein the generator subassembly comprises a generator (372) fixed with respect to the actuator, and wherein the vibratory energy converter assembly further comprises a mechanical linkage (378) coupled between the converter housing and the generator to drive the generator in response to the movement of the actuator with respect to the converter housing.

6. The vibratory energy converter system of claim 5, wherein the mechanical linkage comprises a gear linkage (382) coupled between the housing and the generator.

7. The vibratory energy converter system of claim 6, wherein the converter housing further comprises a drive rod (374) coupled to the gear linkage, and wherein the movement of the actuator with respect to the converter housing causes the drive rod to drive the gear linkage to drive the generator.

8. The vibratory energy converter system of claim 1, wherein the generator subassembly comprises: a magnetic element (484) that is fixed with respect to the actuator; and a metallic coil (486) that is fixed with respect to the converter housing, the metallic coil defining an interior volume, wherein the movement of the actuator with respect to the converter housing causes the magnetic element to move through the interior volume of the metallic coil, and wherein the movement of the magnetic element through the interior volume of the metallic coil induces an electrical current within the metallic coil.

9. The vibratory energy converter system of claim 1, , wherein the generator subassembly comprises: a magnetic element (584) that is fixed with respect to the converter housing; and a metallic coil (586) that is fixed with respect to the actuator, the metallic coil defining an interior volume, wherein movement of the actuator with respect to the converter housing causes relative movement of the metallic coil with respect to the magnetic element, within the interior volume of the metallic coil, and wherein the relative movement of the magnetic element within the interior volume of the metallic coil induces an electrical current within the metallic coil.

10. The vibratory energy converter system of claim 1, the vibratory energy converter assembly further comprising a guide rod (354) coupled within the converter housing, and wherein the actuator comprises a guide rod bearing (356) engaged with the guide rod to inhibit rotation of the actuator during the movement of the actuator with respect to the converter housing.

11. The vibratory energy converter system of claim 1, the vibratory energy converter assembly, further comprising: an electrical energy storage device electrically coupled to the generator subassembly to store the electrical energy converted from the mechanical vibratory energy by the generator subassembly.

12. The vibratory energy converter system of claim 1, wherein the converter housing is coupled to the eccentric vibration system, wherein the movement of the actuator caused by the vibration of the converter housing inhibits vibration of the eccentric vibration system in the first direction, the vibratory energy converter assembly further comprising: a roller drum (18) configured to be coupled to the eccentric vibration system of the vibratory compaction machine to which the converter housing of the vibratory energy converter assembly is configured to be coupled, wherein the roller drum encloses the eccentric vibration system, the converter housing, and the actuator, wherein vibration of the eccentric vibration system causes the roller drum to vibrate in a second direction (262) different from the first direction.

13. The vibratory energy converter system of claim 12, wherein the second direction is substantially orthogonal to the first direction.

14. The vibratory energy converter system of claim 12, wherein the converter housing of the vibratory energy converter assembly is fixedly coupled to the eccentric system housing and extends from the eccentric system housing in the first direction.

15. The vibratory energy converter system of claim 12, wherein the converter housing is selectively rotatable with respect to an eccentric system housing of the eccentric vibration system.