Resonant Generator Harvests Vibration to Power Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rental mechanical equipment, such as diesel-powered tools, often lacks an onboard electrical power source, making it difficult to implement tracking and control technologies, as traditional solutions like batteries or generators are impractical due to high labor and component costs or limited power availability.
Innovation Solution
A resonant electric generator harnesses the vibrational energy of the equipment to power an electronics module for monitoring and control, using a magnet, coil, and resilient member to induce an electric current, allowing for location tracking, vibration monitoring, and remote control of the equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a battery is used to power the monitoring apparatus, then the apparatus can be powered for a limited period, but the battery eventually runs out of charge and requires replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a resonant electric generator that converts the mechanical vibrations inherent in the operation of diesel-powered equipment into electrical energy. The generator is tuned to resonate at the equipment's operating frequency, efficiently harvesting vibrational energy to continuously power the monitoring apparatus without depleting a battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring apparatus becomes self-powered by harvesting energy from the equipment it monitors. The resonant electric generator automatically converts the equipment's own operational vibrations into electricity, eliminating the need for external power sources or battery replacements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a standard generator is used to generate power from the rotating crank, then electrical power can be provided, but the mechanical connection through gears or belt and pulleys adds considerable labor costs and high component costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical power transmission systems (gears, belts, pulleys) with a direct vibrational energy harvesting approach. The resonant electric generator attaches to the equipment's vibrating surfaces, converting mechanical vibrations directly into electrical energy without intermediate mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using the equipment's rotational motion through complex mechanical connections, the invention directly harnesses the vibrational motion already present during equipment operation. The resonant generator is tuned to the equipment's natural frequency, efficiently converting vibrations into electricity with minimal mechanical intervention.
3Reliability
If tracking and communication technology is added to mechanical equipment, then monitoring and control capabilities are improved, but the equipment requires an onboard electrical power source which many diesel-powered tools lack
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring apparatus becomes self-powered by harvesting energy from the equipment it monitors. The resonant electric generator automatically converts the equipment's own operational vibrations into electricity, eliminating the need for external power sources or battery replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a resonant electric generator that converts the mechanical vibrations inherent in the operation of diesel-powered equipment into electrical energy. The generator is tuned to resonate at the equipment's operating frequency, efficiently harvesting vibrational energy to continuously power the monitoring apparatus.
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 solution provides a reliable and cost-effective means to power monitoring and control systems on equipment without an onboard electrical source, enabling efficient tracking and control of rental equipment, including diesel-powered tools, by leveraging the vibrational energy inherent in their operation.
Implementation Method 1
a resonant electric generator having a resonant frequency f0, the resonant frequency f0 being comparable to a vibrational frequency fvibration of diesel-powered mechanical equipment, the resonant electric generator comprising: a magnet having an associated a magnetic field; a coil electrically coupled to the electronics module; and a resilient member configured, when the apparatus is vibrated at or around the resonant frequency f0, to cause relative oscillation of the coil and the magnet so as to induce an electric current in the coil
Implementation Method 2
a resonant electric generator having a resonant frequency f0, the resonant frequency f0 being comparable to a vibrational frequency fvibration of diesel-powered mechanical equipment
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a system comprising mechanical equipment and an apparatus for monitoring and/or controlling the mechanical equipment. The mechanical equipment vibrates at a frequency fvibration in use, and the apparatus is attached to the mechanical equipment such that the apparatus also vibrates when the mechanical equipment is in use. The apparatus comprises an electronics module and a resonant electric generator. The resonant electric generator has a resonant frequency f0 comparable to the vibrational frequency fvibration of the mechanical equipment. The resonant electric generator comprises a magnet having an associated a magnetic field, a coil electrically coupled to the electronics module, and a resilient member. The resilient member is configured, when the apparatus is vibrated at or around the resonant frequency f0, to cause relative oscillation of the coil and the magnet so as to induce an electric current in the coil to thereby power the electronics module.The present application also relates to the apparatus for monitoring and/or controlling the mechanical equipment, and to a method of use of the apparatus with mechanical equipment.