Capacitor Stack Charge Harvesting From Millivolt Energy Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in providing a reliable, self-sustaining power source for portable electronics and medical devices like pacemakers that do not require external recharging or battery replacement, as conventional methods are impractical, inconvenient, or dangerous, especially for applications like IoT and medical implants.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a capacitor stack with n capacitors and 2n switches, a buffer capacitor, and a DC input source, which sequentially charges and discharges capacitors to collect small charges from low-voltage sources like bioelectric signals, radio signals, or thermal sources, using CMOS-Logic and magnetic coupling for energy harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional batteries are used as power sources, then reliable power supply is achieved, but the need for recharging or replacement arises which is impractical, inconvenient, or dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-charging by harvesting ambient energy from the surrounding environment through energy harvesting components, eliminating the need for external recharging or battery replacement. The system autonomously collects and stores energy from environmental sources to power the electronic device.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the power supply approach by changing from fixed battery capacity to dynamic energy harvesting, where the available energy parameter is continuously replenished from environmental sources rather than being depleted from a finite battery supply.
2Duration of action of moving object
If external recharging systems are used for pacemakers, then battery can be recharged, but additional technical devices outside the patient's body are required which complicates the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the energy harvesting function directly into the pacemaker device itself, removing the need for external recharging equipment. The pacemaker contains integrated energy harvesting components that collect energy from the patient's body and surrounding environment internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The pacemaker performs self-charging by harvesting energy from ambient sources within the patient's body (such as body heat, motion, or biological energy), eliminating the need for external technical devices and procedures.
3Volume of moving object
If batteries are made smaller for miniaturized devices, then device size is reduced, but power capacity and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The miniaturized device incorporates energy harvesting components that continuously replenish power from environmental sources, allowing the battery to be much smaller while maintaining reliable operation through ongoing energy collection from the surroundings.
Solution Approach 2:
The device integrates multiple functions into the power supply system, combining a small battery with energy harvesting capabilities that can collect energy from various environmental sources (light, heat, motion), making the power system both compact and reliable.
4Reliability
If battery replacement is performed, then power supply is restored, but the procedure is laborious and potentially dangerous for users
Solution Approach 1:
The device autonomously maintains its power supply by harvesting energy from the environment, eliminating the need for manual battery replacement procedures that are laborious and potentially dangerous for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy harvesting components continuously accumulate energy in advance, ensuring power supply continuity without requiring reactive battery replacement when the battery is depleted.
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
Enables the collection of small charges in the Nano-Coulomb range, providing a power supply independent of external sources, suitable for powering portable electronics and medical devices without the need for recharging or replacement, enhancing safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a device for collection of tiny charges in the Nano-Coulomb-range and below, comprising at least one capacitor stack build by n capacitors and 2n switches (n∈N), at least one further capacitor outside the capacitor stack as buffer capacity
Implementation Method 2
The invention targets electrical energy sources like bioelectric signals, radio signals, thermal sources or vibrations, which means the electrical energy voltage levels are in the range of a few millivolt
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a device for collection of tiny charges in the Nano-Coulomb-range and below, comprising at least one capacitor stack build by n capacitors and 2n switches (nϵN), at least one further capacitor outside the capacitor stack as buffer capacity, at least two additional switches and a DC input source. The n capacitors are dedicated to be sequentially charged by the DC input source one after the other, wherein the 2n switches in the capacitor stack couple the n capacitors sequentially to the DC input source. The at least one further capacitor is dedicated to be charged from the n capacitors of the capacitor stack at once. Furthermore, the invention discloses a method for small charge collection, comprising the steps of sequentially charging the n capacitors of the at least one capacitor stack by coupling one capacitor after the other to the DC input source by selectively closing the switches and discharging the n capacitors of the capacitor stack into at least one further capacitor outside the capacitor stack (nϵN). Additionally, the usage of the device or the method according to the invention to collect charges from sources with electrical potentials of a few millivolts is disclosed.