Multi-Angle Transducer Array for Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy harvesting systems face challenges in efficiently converting acoustic and mechanical waves into electrical energy, particularly due to alignment issues and limited power generation at high frequencies, where transducer size becomes directional and sensitive only to waves from the normal direction.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple transducer elements arranged at different off-axis angles to create a collective energy-transduction area, with a power-accumulation circuit that rectifies and accumulates electrical charges from each transducer, allowing for multi-directional energy conversion and mitigation of alignment issues, enabling high-energy transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If transducer area is increased to increase communicated power, then power transmission capability is improved, but acceptable angle for power communication is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer is divided into multiple independent transducer elements (first, second, third, fourth elements) that can be independently controlled. Each element has a smaller individual area that maintains broad angular sensitivity, while the collective array provides high power transmission capability through coordinated operation of multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single transducer operating in one dimension to a two-dimensional array of transducer elements arranged at different positions and orientations. This spatial distribution allows the system to maintain both high power capability and broad angular acceptance by receiving energy from multiple directional components simultaneously.
2Power
If transducer size is made larger than acoustic wavelength, then power transmission is improved, but directionality increases limiting sensitivity to off-axis waves
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large transducer that would be highly directional, the system segments the transducer into multiple smaller elements. Each small element maintains omnidirectional or broad-directional sensitivity, while the array configuration achieves high power transmission through the combined output of multiple elements receiving energy from various angles.
Solution Approach 2:
Each transducer element in the array has localized properties optimized for broad angular reception, while the global system achieves high power transmission capability. The local quality of each element (small size, broad sensitivity) differs from the global property (high power, directional control), resolving the contradiction between size and directionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If low frequencies are used for acoustic energy harvesting, then wavelength is larger than transducer size enabling broad reception, but high power generation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transducer elements into a unified array system where the collective power output of all elements achieves high power generation capability. By merging the outputs of multiple small elements, the system overcomes the limitation of individual low-power elements while maintaining the broad reception characteristics of each small element.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a two-dimensional spatial arrangement of transducer elements to overcome the frequency-power limitation. By distributing elements across space rather than relying on a single large transducer, the system can operate at frequencies that provide both adequate wavelength for broad reception and sufficient total power through the combined output of multiple elements.
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
This approach enhances the ability to collect energy from various angles, increasing the power transmission efficiency and allowing for high-energy harvesting even at high frequencies, making it suitable for applications like powering devices without batteries or recharging batteries remotely.
Implementation Method 1
Each transducer element converts energy conveyed via a multi-directional radiation pattern into electrical charge
Implementation Method 2
A first rectifier-type circuit rectifies the generated current
Implementation Method 3
Another charge-collection-type circuit accumulates electrical charge from all of the transducer elements, using the rectified current
Data Source
AI summary
As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus and/or method involves a plurality of transducer elements that convert energy waves conveyed via a multi-directional radiation pattern into electrical charge. A power-accumulation circuit accumulates electrical charges from each of the plurality of transducer elements, with each of the transducer elements being arranged at different respective off-axis angles relative to an axis at which the energy is being conveyed. The power-accumulation circuit accumulates energy from each of the individual energy-transduction areas, such that energy received at different respective off-axis angles contributes to the accumulation of electrical charge.