Multi-Source Energy Harvesting Circuit Driven by Secondary Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy harvesting systems face efficiency losses as a significant portion of the output is used to power semiconductor switching devices, reducing the overall efficiency, and secondary energy sources with insufficient power are often not utilized.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a secondary energy harvesting device to generate a power signal that drives the switching circuit of the primary energy harvesting device, allowing the majority of the primary energy's output to be used for external devices rather than powering the switching components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If semiconductor switching devices are used to generate usable output signal, then the system can produce oscillating electrical signal for external use, but a significant portion of the energy harvesting output is consumed to power these switching devices, reducing overall efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusable output powerVSAvoidenergy consumed by switching circuit

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary energy storage component (capacitor or battery) between the energy harvesting device and the switching circuit. This intermediary stores energy during periods when the harvesting device produces excess power and releases it during periods when the switching circuit requires power, thereby decoupling the direct power dependency and reducing instantaneous energy losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed to be self-powered by using a portion of its own output to drive the switching circuit through autonomous control mechanisms. The switching circuit automatically regulates its operation based on available energy levels, eliminating the need for external control power and maximizing the utilization of harvested energy for useful output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of energy

If secondary energy source is harvested alone, then additional energy can be captured from the environment, but the power generated is insufficient for the specific application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunused secondary energyVSAvoidtotal available power

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple energy harvesting devices (primary and secondary) into a unified system where their outputs are integrated through a common energy storage and management architecture. The primary device (e.g., piezoelectric) and secondary device (e.g., photovoltaic or thermoelectric) work synergistically, with the storage component buffering and combining their outputs to deliver sufficient total power for the application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The energy management system is designed to accept and process multiple types of energy inputs from different harvesting devices simultaneously. The control circuitry and storage architecture are universally capable of handling various energy sources and their characteristic output profiles, enabling flexible integration of primary and secondary harvesting devices for enhanced total power generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration increases the overall efficiency of the energy harvesting system by utilizing secondary energy to power the switching circuit, thereby maximizing the power available for external use.

Implementation Method 1

the first energy harvesting device may form a thermoelectric device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermoelectric effect: Seebeck Effect

Implementation Method 2

The secondary energy harvesting device may form one or more of a photodetector, a strain gauge, a piezoelectric device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS7834483B2Energy harvesting system and method using multiple energy sources

Publication Date: 2010.11.16 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

An energy harvesting system and method having improved efficiency. A primary energy harvesting device is used to generate a first electrical output signal. The first electrical output signal is applied to a first switching circuit. A secondary energy harvesting device is used to generate a second electrical output signal that is used to power a second switching circuit. The second switching circuit generates the switching drive signal for the first switching circuit, which in turn generates a final output signal. By using a second energy harvesting circuit operating in connection with a different structure, and a secondary switching circuit, less power from the signal generated by the primary energy harvesting device is needed to power the first switching circuit. This results in a greater percentage of the output power of the first signal being usable by an external device.