Capacitive Patch Energy Harvester for Non-Invasive Cable Powering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy harvesting devices from electrical cables face challenges such as requiring connection to a single conductor, dependence on electrical current, and need for voltage conversion, which complicates installation and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
An energy harvesting device that surrounds a portion of an electrical cable with electrically separated patch members, allowing for energy harvesting without connection to a conductor or ground, and capable of producing a voltage between 1 and 10 volts without a converter, utilizing a rectification unit to rectify currents from alternating or direct current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electromagnetic harvest from single wires by induction is used, then energy can be harvested from electrical cables, but the outer insulation must be peeled off requiring connection to a single conductor, compromising safety and increasing installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The energy harvesting device is divided into multiple electrically isolated patch members that can be independently attached to different conductors or positions on the cable. This segmentation allows the device to harvest energy from the electromagnetic field without requiring connection to a single conductor or peeling of insulation, thereby maintaining safety while enabling energy harvesting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary capacitive coupling mechanism between the patch members and the electrical cable. This intermediary allows energy transfer through the cable's electromagnetic field without direct electrical connection, eliminating the need to compromise insulation or connect to single conductors, thus resolving the contradiction between energy harvesting and installation safety.
2Ease of operation
If energy harvest from electrical field difference between conductors and ground is used, then installation on outside of multicore cable is possible, but physical connection to electrical ground is required making it inapplicable in many applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses capacitive coupling as an intermediary mechanism that enables energy harvesting from the electrical field without requiring physical connection to ground. The patch members couple capacitively to the conductors, allowing energy transfer through the insulation barrier, thus maintaining both installation ease and application versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical connection parameter from direct conductive connection to capacitive coupling. This parameter change allows the device to operate without ground connection while still harvesting energy from the electrical field, thereby expanding application versatility while maintaining installation simplicity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If inductive energy harvesters are used, then energy can be harvested from electrical cables, but they are relatively expensive to produce and depend on electrical current running in the conductor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple capacitive patch members made from inexpensive materials such as conductive tape or foil with dielectric layers. These simple structures are much cheaper to manufacture than complex inductive harvesters, while still providing effective energy harvesting capability through capacitive coupling to the cable's electromagnetic field.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides continuous energy harvesting without the need for a current-carrying cable, reducing power requirements and simplifying installation, while being cost-effective and safe for technical installations.
Implementation Method 1
The energy harvesting device comprises a plurality of electrically separated and electrically conducting patch members configured to be attached directly onto the electrical cable or in close proximity of the cable
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a rectification unit to rectify currents from alternating or direct current
Data Source
AI summary
An energy harvesting device is configured to surround a portion of an electrical cable (4), and includes a plurality of electrically separated and electrically conducting patch members (22, 22′, 24, 24′, 26, 26′) configured to be arranged in such a manner that an electric potential difference (V) is provided between a first outlet point (B) and a second outlet point (A). The patch members (22, 22′, 24, 24′, 26, 26′) are electrically connected to the first outlet point (B) and to the second outlet point (A). The patch members (22, 22′, 24, 24′, 26, 26′) are configured to be attached non-invasively direct onto the electrical cable (4).